Bonnie Balcom Beck, age 79 of Cozad, died March 3, 2002 at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

She was born January 13, 1923 near Eustis to William and Faye Uhlig Schutz. She graduated from Eustis High School in 1940.

On February 22, 1941, she married Charles Balcom at Eustis. They made their home in Eustis until 1956, when they moved to Cozad. She was preceded in death by Mr. Balcom in 1969. She had worked as the Catalog Department Manager at the J. C. Penney store for 20 years. She had served as librarian for the Cozad City Library for 16 years and was in charge of the children's reading program.

At a young age, she was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Eustis and in 1956, joined the Parkview United Methodist Church in Cozad. She was past president of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary at Eustis, the Priscilla Rebekah Lodge #127 at Cozad and was past president of the Cozad Hospital auxiliary. She was a founding board member of the Cozad Grand Generation Center and a Former Cub Scout Leader.

On October 23, 1993, she married Les Beck at the Camp Comeca Chapel south of Cozad. She and Mr. Beck organized the Cozad Musical Jamboree. She had also done extensive quilting for her family and organizational donation.

Survivors include her husband, Les of Cozad; a daughter, Judi (Eldon) Cramer of Richmond, VA., a stepdaughter, Cathy (Ron) Straughan of Albuquerque, NM; 2 sons, Terry (Judy) Balcom and Mark (Mary) Balcom all of Kearney; a step-son, Larry (Nan) Beck of Aztec, NM; a sister, Marjorie (Merlyn) Schutz of Elwood; a sister-in-law, Velma Farr of Eustis; 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Lou.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday March 7, 2002 at Parkview United Methodist Church in Cozad with Rev. Robert E. Berlie, Sr. and Pastor Steve Berke officiating. Burial will be in the Cozad Cemetery.