Cathy Lynn Beckman

Cathy Lynn Beckman, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 surrounded by her friends and family at the University of Utah Hospital.

Cathy was born in Great Falls, Montana on September 21, 1948 to Andrew and Charlene Jenson. She was the second child born to Andrew and Charlene.   She had three brothers and three sisters. She grew up in Choteau, Montana where she attended Choteau High School and graduated in 1966.

The summer after graduating high school she met her future husband Richard D. Beckman, who was serving in the United States Air Force in Great Falls, Montana.  Richard waited until Cathy was eighteen years old and they started dating in September of 1966.  They married on December 17, 1966.  Less than one year later, their first child Traci Lynn was born in November of 1967.

In November of 1969, after Richard was honorably discharged from the Unites States Air Force, He and Cathy moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to be closer to Richard’s family. Cathy became a stay at home mother and worked part time at her father-in-laws boat shop sewing and making boat covers. In October of 1970, Cathy gave birth (*adopted) to their second child Kelli Ann. In March of 1974 Richard and Cathy welcomed their third child Richard Bradley.

After over ten years of marriage, Richard and Cathy made the choice to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Washington DC LDS Temple on July 5, 1977. Shortly after making the trip to fourth child Blake Andrew in October of 1977. After spending many years in Ohio, Richard and Cathy made the decision to move their family across the country. They settled their family in Boise in 1980 and have remained there ever since.

In April of 1981, Cathy gave birth to their fifth child, Michael Newman and in November of 1982 Richard and Cathy welcomed their final child Christopher Dale (*the tumor).

It was in Idaho where Cathy really found her passion and began crafting. Cathy created beautiful crafts from her home and decided to go into business for herself selling them. After having storefronts in both the Northgate mall and the Boise Town Square mall, Richard and Cathy decided to take their show on the road, literally, and travel around the country selling their various crafts and woodworkings. During her time traveling with her husband, Cathy made countless friendships, which she cherished deeply. Her second crafting family is filled with those who really knew Cathy and loved her.

Cathy’s greatest blessings were her children and her family. The thing that made Cathy the happiest was spending time with them. She loved to get together for reunions, holidays, birthdays etc.  She especially loved sitting around playing cards and games with her family.

Cathy is survived by her husband Richard, her children Traci (Mark), Kelli (Greg), Bradley, Blake, Michael and Christopher all of whom reside in Boise, ID. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren Dylan, Rylee, Connor, Hayden, Layci, Carson, Chloe, Zackary and one great-grandchild Oziah. She is also survived by her loving parents Andrew and Charlene Jenson and her siblings Sheila (Ed) Arensmeyer, Mike, Steve, Randy (Pamela) and Toni.

Cathy is preceded in death by her sister Linda, sister-in-law Joni and various aunts and uncles.

The viewing for Cathy will be held on April 27, 2017,  5pm to 8pm at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel in Boise. The graveside services will take place on April 28 at the Veterans cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Cathy’s memorial fund at either www.gofundme.com/cathy-beckman or the Cathy Beckman trust account at US Bank.