Loretta Beckman, age 84 of Monroe, Wisconsin, died Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Harbor House in Monroe. She was born September 28, 1925 in Darlington; the daughter of William and Mary (Long) Howe. Loretta graduated from Darlington High School in 1943. She married Glenn H. Beckman on June 22, 1946 in Freeport, IL. Loretta was a switchboard operator for Clarno Telephone Exchange from 1946 to 1965, worked for St. Clare Hospital from 1965 to 1985, also worked at Wagner Nursing Home, Monroe Manor, and Pleasant View Nursing home. Loretta was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ.

Surviving are her children: Fred (Margaret) of Monroe, WI, Peggy (David) Meier of Monroe, WI, Jim of Peru, IL, Helen Martin of Madison, WI, Ted of Madison, WI, Edward (Lynn) of Monroe, Harold (Kellie) of Belleville, WI, and Gerald (Paula) of Monroe, WI; sister, Helen (John) Martin of O'Fallon, IL; brother-in-law, William Jordens of Gresham, OR; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and her extended family, Tom, Susan, and Heather Porter. She was predeceased by her husband, Glenn Beckman in 1971; daughter, Glenda Beckman in 1971; brothers, James Howe, Joseph Howe, and William Laverne Howe; sisters, Kathleen Martin, Elizabeth Howe, Lorraine Mongold, and Margaret Jordens; grandson, Troy Beckman; and son-in-law, Jon Martin.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2010 at St. JOHN's UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST in Monroe with Rev. William T. Mike Heath officiating. Burial will follow in East Clarno Cemetery rural Monroe.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at SHRINER-HAGER-GOHLKE FUNERAL HOME, 1455 Mansion Drive and 18th Avenue in Monroe and from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the church.

A Memorial Fund is being established in Loretta's memory.