Gracia Elizabeth Gutel Beck

Gracia Elizabeth Gutel Beck, 98, Woodstock, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at Hearthstone Village. 
She was born July 4, 1916, the only child of Theodore Gutel and Martha Moore Gutel, in Odell. 
She attended public school in Odell. While in high school, she met and would later marry the love of her life, Warren (Bud) Beck. 
After high school, she attended Illinois State College, Normal, where she earned a two-year teaching certificate from the state of Illinois. She began her teaching career, and her fiancé enlisted in World War II. On May 4, 1943, while he was on leave, the couple married. 
Her family moved to Mundelein after her husband’s military commitment ended. She lived there and taught school for 21 years before retiring in 1971. She remained in the Mundelein area until 1987. She moved to Woodstock following her husband’s death to be closer to her family. 
She loved her 28 years in the area, involving herself in volunteer work, local senior activities, and watching her grandchildren grow up. When she was 91, she moved to Hearthstone Village, where she lived until her death. 
Survivors include two sons, David (Corinne) and Mark (Nancy); four grandchildren, Eric, Joshua, Jennifer and Benjamin; and eight great-grandchildren. 
The family requests donations be given to the Woodstock Food Pantry, any veterans organization or a charity of choice. 
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Hearthstone Village.