Margaret “Betty” Beck Obituary

Margaret “Betty” (Nelson) Beck, 96, died peacefully in her home on January 7, 2026 after an extended illness. Her son Larry (Muncie) was at her bedside.

            Betty was born in Elkhart on May 24, 1929, the daughter of Margaret (Pedler) Nelson and Paul Nelson. She married the love of her life, James M. Beck on January 18, 1953. He preceded her in death.

Betty was a 1947 graduate of Elkhart High School. She attended Ball State Teachers College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. At Ball State, she wrote for student publications including The Orient yearbook. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority.

Upon graduation, Betty was employed in the advertising department at Miles Laboratories where she was an editorial assistant and wrote for The Alkalizer employee newsletter. She also assisted with the initial marketing campaign introducing the Speedy Alka-Seltzer cartoon character. She retired from Miles in 1986 as an engineering administrative assistant in the Ames Medical Instrument Division.

Betty was a lifelong Elkhart resident and was active in a number of civic and community groups. She was a charter member of the Michiana Osteopathic Guild, the fundraising and support auxiliary for the South Bend Osteopathic Hospital.  She was a life member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church where she served on numerous committees and cofounded the church’s widow’s support group in 2006.

Betty was an avid collector of artisan, handcrafted teddy bears and regularly attended trade shows and conventions. She spoke to local groups about her collection. She was also an amateur authority on Royal Copley and Frankoma pottery.

Betty was a voracious reader and shared her love of books and reading with her son. She kept extensive notes on the books she had read and readily shared books and recommendations with friends.

She loved entertaining family and friends in her home and was known for brewing a strong “cuppa” English tea in keeping with her English heritage. She was a devoted birder and fed birds, squirrels, chipmunks and assorted neighborhood critters throughout the year. Her yard was always planted with a variety of flowers during the spring and summer seasons. Betty was known for her quick smile, love of people and her sympathetic ear for anyone in need of advice or comfort.

Betty asked her son to share her deepest appreciation to the following for their compassionate care during the past year; home care nurse Rebecca Pepple, the Center for Hospice Care, Hubbard Hill, Dr. William Buckley of the Elkhart Clinic, Dr. Justin Koenig of Elkhart General Hospital and the crew of Station Four, Elkhart Fire Department.

Walley-Mills-Zimmerman is handling arrangements. A visitation is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, from 10:30a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  A private graveside service for family will be held at Rice Cemetery following the visitation. Memorials may be made to the Center for Hospice Care or the Humane Society of Elkhart County.