Eulogy for Regina Victoria Leopold Beck

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rockne, Texas - July 31, 2007

Regina Victoria Leopold was born August 10, 1915, in New Braunfels, Texas, to Arthur Christian and Mary Heine Leopold. She was the oldest of 12 children. When she was very young, the family moved to Nada, Texas, where she graduated from Nada High School in May 1931. The family shared a love of music and Regina completed a course of study on the piano from the American College of Music in July 1931. She loved to sing whether it was in the church choir or simply while working or relaxing. In 1935 Regina�s uncle, Msgr. Aloysius Leopold, appointed her as his housekeeper. In that same year Msgr. Leopold was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish and she moved with him to Rockne, Texas, where she met John Joseph Beck.

She remained Msgr. Leopold�s housekeeper until she married John on September 23, 1940, in St. Mary�s Catholic Church in Nada. The 66 years of marriage were spent in their home on Beck Lane in Rockne. Into this union were born six sons, five daughters, 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Regina passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2007, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by one son Robert Joseph Beck, one grandson Kenneth John Jimmerson, and one great-grandson Andrew Robert Beck.

Regina is survived by her husband John; sons Jim, Mike and wife Mari, Pat and wife Becky, Tom, and Steve and wife Sue; daughters Elaine Chambliss and husband Leland, Mary Beck, Lori Heisler and husband Bill, Rita Canales and husband Kelly, and Rosie Karrer and husband Ken; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In fact, all children had a special place in her heart. She was a primary school teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rockne for 14 years, a substitute teacher at Bastrop Elementary School, and was later employed by the Head Start Program in Bastrop County. Even today her very presence radiates her kindness, optimism, and loving nature. She would often comment that it was great to be alive and no matter if it�s rainy or sunny, it�s always a beautiful day. Wherever Regina was, it was a safe place.

Before she began teaching, she worked on the farm side-by-side with the family, stopping only to prepare the meals. She sewed, knitted, crocheted, tended garden, canned produce, cooked the meals--providing all necessities for the family.

She was a strong proponent of education. At the age of 62, Regina earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Southwest Texas State University and was the oldest in her graduating class. And she stressed to everyone that one could never stop learning.

She loved to read. Her grandchildren�s earliest memories are of their granny reading aloud to them. She instilled a love of words and literature.

Her favorite pastime was playing Scrabble with the family and she was competitive beyond her 90th birthday.

She loved to travel. Regina and John made many trips throughout the country and abroad. She researched before each trip and was well-informed of her surroundings whether she was at the bottom of the Grand Canyon or in a 16th century castle in Germany.

She was just under five feet tall, but she was a giant among people. She reflected the teachings of Christ by her exemplary life, simplicity, and ever optimistic outlook. Regina accepted life as it was presented to her. She disdained gossip and never complained, even when in pain.

Regina was usually content to sit quietly and cheerfully absorb her surroundings, but when she did speak, she could say the darndest things! Once she heard someone comment that the Arizona desert had to be the most desolate stretch of highway. She replied, "If you look hard enough, you can find beauty in anything."

When she was hospitalized this past February, the doctor asked her if she knew what day it was, she replied, "I have no need to know what day it is."

The day before she died, several family members were gathered around and as she wandered in and out of consciousness, she lifted her head from the pillow, and with great clarity she stated, "What are we waiting for?" That was her last coherent statement.

Regina�s requests were that she be allowed to die peacefully at home, that the casket be closed, and that it be adorned with a single red rose. The family was honored to grant these simple wishes for her lifetime of loving and caring dedication to her family.

The family thanks Father Chris, Father Gabriel, Father Martin, Father Howard, Father Bernard, Deacon Roger Muehr, Deacon Aspirant Alvin Frerich, G&C Printing, the Eucharistic Ministers who brought her communion, those who provided the music for this service, the members of the St. Anne�s Society especially Rita Fredericks and LaVerne Norris, and the many family and friends who brought food and offered condolences.

And lastly Regina thanks each of you for being here today and we can now imagine her saying from above, "What are we waiting for?!"

The family offers this poem as one last tribute to a great lady.

Ken Karrer