On Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, our Catholic community in Winona received the most devastating news that none of us were ever prepared to hear. Kelly Beech, a vibrant young woman who was a freshmen at Winona State, had died earlier that morning in her parent's house. Kelly had gotten involved early in the school year with a FOCUS Bible Study lead by my teammate Mary, had come to numerous events at the Newman Center, and had attended the New York City mission trip/pilgrimage with us over Spring Break-just over a month ago. It was beautiful to see the great strides she was making in her faith and her relationship with Jesus through the example and influence of Mary and the community of friends she made at the Newman Center.
Death is never easy, especially when it is unexpected and unexplainable. As Catholics, we can take comfort in our ability to pray for those who have gone before us in death and trust in the Divine Mercy and Love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, still, death is not easy. For many of the students, this was their first experience of death in their young-adult life. For most, this was their first experience of suicide. The unanswered questions seem like they'll never stop coming--but the same can be said with the prayers that were offered for Kelly, for her family and friends, and for our community.
I was truly amazed with the beauty that God brought out of such a devastating week. On Friday, April 13th, we packed four cars full of students and drove three-and-a-half hours to the southwest corner of Minnesota for Kelly's wake and funeral services. Our community got together every day from Tuesday until we left on Friday to just be together in our mourning, joys, and daily life. We made several posters with pictures and memories that we had of Kelly--the girl who touched our lives for a short eight months, but who had made such an impact. We gave these posters to Kelly's family after the funeral on Saturday and assured them of our fervent prayers.
As a "spiritual mother" of this community, I was truly amazed with how much our students--women and men-- sought to comfort and mourn with one another. While we were all dealing with our emotions in different ways, we all were united in our pain and grief, and sought to reach out to one-another through it all. We can only hope that the graces the Lord is pouring down on all who mourn the loss of such a beautiful daughter of God will continue to bear fruit in unexplainable ways.
Thank you deeply for all your prayers and kind words during this rough time. Please continue to pray for Kelly and her family and friends. I have copied Kelly's obituary below, as well as some pictures we had of her from throughout the year.
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| Kelly helped us spread the word about Ash Wednesday Mass on campus |
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| Kelly (pictured 3rd from left) loved our visit with the Sisters of Life in NYC |
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| Kelly's sense of humor was always a joy! |
In Loving Memory of Kelly Jean Beech
Kelly Beech was born on September 25, 1992 in Slayton, Minnesota to Mark and Nancy Kellen Beech. Kelly grew up on a homestead near Slayton. Kelly attended Slayton Elementary School through sixth grade and then attended Murray County Central High School through twelfth grade. Kelly then ventured out, attending Winona State University in Winona, MN. Kelly passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at her family home at the age of 19. Kelly excelled in school, receiving awards in Spelling Bees, first place in Science Fair, Academic Achievement Awards, was on the A+ Honor Roll numerous times and received awards for Volleyball and Knowledge Bowl. She also excelled at archery. Kelly was a member of the Badger Lake 4-H Club and received many awards for her exhibits. She went to the Minnesota State Fair and competed at the state level many times receiving purple and blue ribbons. Kelly loved spending time with her family and friends. She was an artist, and she loved to spend time sketching and painting, and doing crafts and needle art. Kelly adopted numerous stray animals and spent much of her time with horses, dogs, cats and her 4-H animals. Kelly also adored children.
Kelly’s survived by her parents, Mark and Nancy Beech, her two brothers, Scott Beech and Nathan Beech, her maternal grandmother, Meredith Kellen and paternal grandfather, Paul Henry Beech, maternal aunts and uncles, Michael and Cheryl Kellen, Diane and Charles Ernstes, Steve and Diane Kellen, Duane and Alice Kellen, Julie Kellen, Valerie and Jimmy George, David and Brenda Kellen, Gary and Nichole Kellen and Laurie and Kris Wortley, paternal aunts and uncles, Candace Beech, Cindy and Del Determan, Paul and Gail Beech, Steven and Elaine Beech, Cathrine and Michael DeMars, forty cousins and many, many friends. Kelly was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Norma Jean Beech, and her maternal grandfather, Albert Kellen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Currie, MN on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Jeffrey Dobbs officiating. The organist is Patty LeClaire. The song leader is LoAnn Hansen with special music by Alicia Bertram. The pallbearers are Gary Kellen, Steve Kellen, Mike Kellen, David Kellen, Duane Kellen and Paul Beech Jr. Interment is at St. Ann’s Cemetery Slayton, MN.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 13, 2012 at IHM Church in Currie from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday.
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