December 14, 1932 – March 20, 2018

Reta Fae Beckman passed away on March 20, 2018 in Forks, Washington at the age of 85.

Reta was born on December 14, 1932 in Dell City, Oklahoma to Elmer and Alice Martin. She was the 5th of eight children and had a twin brother. Her parents were migrant farm workers. The family gradually moved west until they settled in Hermiston, Oregon.

As a child, Reta enjoyed and excelled in school. She eventually parlayed her love of learning into getting a teaching degree from Eastern Oregon University. Upon college graduation, she taught elementary school in Oregon for several years. After that, she and a girlfriend decided to embark upon

an adventure and moved to Ketchikan, Alaska. In Alaska, she met the love of her life, Glenn Beckman.

Glenn and Reta were married in 1959. Over the years, they lived in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming and ultimately Forks while following Glenn’s career with the US Forest Service.

Reta was a dedicated homemaker while her children were growing up. She was a devoted mother and loyal friend to many. She supported her children in all of their activities and could be counted on to participate in community volunteer efforts.

Wherever she lived, she became involved in her local church. She enjoyed cooking and baking. Many will remember her through the recipes that she passed on.

Once all of her children were in school, she returned to her passion of teaching. She ran and taught at a community preschool in Forks for over 20 years. In her retired years, she and Glenn enjoyed travel and entertaining but her favorite activity was spending time with

her eleven grandchildren.

Reta is survived by her husband Glenn, her daughter Jill Monster and her husband Rob, her son Jack Beckman and his wife Rhonda and her son John Beckman and his wife Karissa; her grandchildren: Spencer Beckman, Kate Londgren, Klaas Monster, Grace Beckman, Jack Londgren, Ross Monster, Kamryn Monster, Bryn Beckman, Lexi Beckman, Ty Beckman and Lily Beckman. She is also survived by her sisters Jo Martin and Theresa Getzinger.

The family would like to thank the nurses at Forks Hospital for taking such good care of Reta during her final days.

Her family asks that in her memory, donations be made to charities that support children. A celebration of Reta Beckman’s life will be held on Saturday, May 19 at Forks Assembly of God Church at 11 a.m.