Marie Bechen

Marie Catherine Bechen was born February 9, 1925, the eldest daughter of Fred and Angela Henkenius. She died on Friday, December 31, 2010, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-five.
Marie was born in Vail, Iowa, attended St. Anns grade school and graduated from St. Anns High School in 1943 and from St. Anthonys School of Nursing in 1946. She attended Marquette University in 1948 taking post-graduate work in surgery. Upon completion of her training she was employed at St. Anthonys Hospital in Carroll, Iowa.
On June 15, 1950, Marie and Raymond Bechen of Vail were united in marriage. To this union six sons and three daughters were born. They are Janet, Mary, Joseph, Philip, Thomas, Gene, James, Angela and Chris.
In 1956 Ray and Marie purchased a farm eight miles south of Denison. Their nine children were raised there and attended St. Rose of Lima Parochial School and all graduated from the Denison High School. They were members of the St. Rose of Lima Parish. Marie worked as a nurse at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital for many years. In 1979 she took employment at the Denison Job Corps as an instructor in the Health Occupation Department. In 1993 Ray and Marie retired and moved to Vail where they became members of St. Anns Parish.
Marie enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and gardening. She made many afghans which she donated to organizations to be used as fund raisers. She was a Godly woman and followed her faith with love and joy.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, a son Chris, her parents Fred and Angela Henkenius, a sister Leah and three brothers Glen, Matt and Charlie. Survivors include children Janet and her husband, Kevin; Mary; Joseph; Philip and his wife, Nancy; Thomas; Gene and his wife, Judy; James; and Angela; brother Edward and his wife, Mary Ann; sisters-in-law Kay; Mary; and Deloresann. Survivors also include her five grandchildren, one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.