Judith Beech

Judith Kathleen Beech was born in Sleepy Eye, MN on April 1st, 1939. She attended public school in Sleepy Eye and was active in music. After graduating in 1957, she attended the University of Minnesota for one year, then returned home and worked at the bank. She married Rex Beech in January of 1960 and they raised their family in Sleepy Eye. Judy's long and varied employment history started as a girl at her uncle's popcorn stand, and included de-tasseling corn and as well as working at the local jewelry store. Over the years she worked at Advertising Unlimited, Del Monte, as The Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce Executive, and at The Furniture Gallery, which she and Rex owned for many years. Judy was a very gifted soprano and loved music. She sang in and, for a time, directed her church choir, and offered comfort to countless families over the years singing at funerals. She loved cooking, baking, gardening and had an incredible curiosity and appetite for learning. Her passion for the City of Sleepy Eye was boundless. A fourth generation descendant of one of the city founders, she worked tirelessly to learn and teach the history of Sleepy Eye and promote its advancement. She was a current member of the city council, the economic development board, the Sleepy Eye Area Historical Society, Brown County Historical Society, and the Old Sleepy Eye Collector's Club of America. From the time she was a young girl, Judy's Christian faith was of central importance in her life. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran in Sleepy Eye. She taught Sunday School for nearly sixty years, beginning when she was in high school. The Bible was a great source of comfort and strength to her. She loved Jesus, witnessed freely to those around her, and now joins all the saints in the company of heaven. Judy knew no greater joy than to have her family gathered under one roof for holidays and other events. She lived an incredibly active and rich life, undaunted by the rare blood disease that ultimately took her life. She died peacefully on July 29th at Mayo St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, C.F. (Bud) and Dorothy (Renner) Geschwind, and sister, Marlene Sena and brother-in-law, Art. She is survived by her husband, Rex, of Sleepy Eye, sons, Jay (and Cheryl), of Minneapolis, Gregory (and Adderly), of Ashland, OR, daughters, Young Sil (Kim), of St. Paul, Linda (and Christopher), of Waterloo, IA, sister, Lynnette, of Minneapolis, and seven grandchildren. Memorial gifts can be designated for the Sleepy Eye Area Historical Society, Agape Ministries, Intl (granddaughter Krista's human trafficking ministry in Cambodia), and The Center for Worship and Music Studies, (son Jay's training institute). Visitation 1 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sunday, August 2, 2015 Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, MN 217 Brackenridge S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Monday, August 3, 2015 Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, MN 217 Brackenridge S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 11:00 am Monday, August 3, 2015 Trinity Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye, MN 217 Brackenridge S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information Home Cemetery 700 St. Mary's St. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085