L ydia (Skiles) Beck, 93, of Corning, Kansas, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021, at Eastridge Nursing Facility in Centralia, Kansas surrounded by her family. She was born on, March 31, 1927, in Trask, Missouri, to Martin L. Skiles and Lucille (Larimer) Skiles. She attended country schools in the Hurley, Missouri area. The family followed harvest and lived in various communities over the years.
She married Alex Ruibal in 1946 and they had two sons, John and Larry, and also lost an infant son at birth. They later divorced. Lydia and her sons moved to Corning where she worked at the telephone exchange. She met and married Von Beck in 1956, at the New Eden Church. Later, they purchased this church, moved it to the farm, and it became their family home. Lydia and Von had four sons.
Von and Lydia milked cows, bottled and delivered milk and cream, door to door, to local communities. In addition, Lydia worked at the dress factory in Onaga, Kansas and was head cook at the Centralia Schools in Centralia, Kansas for several years. Later in life, she worked at the Corning Library and babysat her grandchildren.
Lydia was an accomplished writer and artist. She wrote many beautiful short stories and poems. Many of her gorgeous paintings adorn walls in her families’ homes. She was very proud of the Corning community and loved living there. She loved watching the neighborhood children play and as her eyesight began to fail, her neighbors made sure that she safely made the trips to the store and bank. In addition, her neighbors always ensured that her sidewalks were cleared of snow and her lawn mowed and well kept.
Lydia was a member of the United Methodist Church, Corning FCE, and past member of the Library Board and NCTC Board. She enjoyed playing cards with her Corning buddies at the Corn Crib Café. After their children were grown, Von and Lydia enjoyed traveling with Roy and Leone Harries. They traveled to California, Montana, Colorado, the Ozarks, and other various places.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Von; a grandson, Cody; and her five brothers.
Lydia is survived by a sister, Leone Harries, of Topeka; her six sons and five daughter-in-law’s; John and Brenda of Corning, Kansas, Larry and Carol of Topeka, Kanas, Brent and Lizz of Warsaw, Missouri, Wayne of Corning, Kansas, Tim and Jane of Corning, Kansas, and Doug and Amy of Seneca, Kansas; and by her 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, January 8, 2021, at 10:30 AM at the Corning United Methodist Church with Pastor Brenda Harter officiating. A viewing will be held at Popkess Memorial Chapel in Seneca, Kansas from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Thursday, January 7, 2021. Casketbearers are her grandsons; Luke, Matt, Dustin, Dallas, Lane, Nathan, Kurtis and Marcus Beck. Lane Beck will serve as soloist. The interment will be made in the Corning Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Corning City Library, sent in care of Popkess Memorial Chapel, 814 Castle, Seneca, Kansas 66538.
Friday, January 8, 2021
Starts at 10:30 am
Corning Methodist Church
Visits: 62
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors