Marjorie S. Beck, 95, of Wolford, ND passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at the Towner County Living Center, Cando, ND.\

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando, ND. Visitation will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando, on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a rosary at 5:00 p.m. followed by a vigil service. Visitation on Friday will be at the church for one hour prior to the funeral mass. Burial will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Knox, N D.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Towner County Living Center  Auxiliary, Cando, ND 58324 or the Wolford Fire & First Responders, P.O. Box 55, Wolford, ND 58385.

Marjorie was born January 1, 1931 to Harris and Olivia (Mears) Hillestad in Rugby, ND. She was raised and attended school in Knox, ND. During her freshman year of High School, she attended school at the Sisters of St. Francis Convent in Hankinson, ND. She returned home to Knox where she completed her schooling and met a young, tall, handsome man from Wolford, ND at a dance.

Marjorie was united in marriage to Bernard Beck in Knox, ND on June 20, 1949. Marjorie and Bernard lived in Rugby, ND for a time. They moved to Wolford and lived behind Delphia’s Grocery Store and the Post Office. In 1950 they moved to St. Paul, MN until 1952 when they returned to Wolford to farm with Bernard’s father and in 1954 moved into the Beck family home.

Marjorie found joy in her 10 children, 21 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Marjorie had an intense faith her entire life. She prayed at least one rosary daily for the wellbeing of her entire family. She and Bernard were faithful members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Knox, ND and then Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando, ND.

After Sunday Mass, Marjorie always prepared a feast for the family and afterwards, in their younger years, it was common for Bernard and Marjorie to load the car with their children and depart with no destination in mind.

Marjorie was a wonderful cook and if there wasn’t a meal prepared when you arrived at her home for a visit, it was ready within minutes. Even if your answer to her common greeting of “Are you hungry? You must be hungry.” was a “No, thank you.” She tended to a large garden and canned, froze or pickled the harvest to assist in all her cooking for her family and friends.

Marjorie was also a very talented baker. Especially known for her delicious buns. A friend would always greet her by saying, “How’s the lady with the best buns in Pierce County doing?!” Along with “Grandma Buns” her grandchildren also loved her chocolate chip cookies.

One of Marjorie’s favorite sayings, “dynamite comes in small packages” (in reference to her small stature) proved itself true on June 1, 1959. She came upon an oil truck wreck that was on fire. Using all the strength her 110 lb. body could muster; she pulled the truck driver away from the burning truck just moments before it exploded. She was honored for her bravery at a North Dakota Fireman’s Association convention. During the special ceremony and presentation of a locket and roses she commented, “The Lord was on our side and the wind was in our favor.”

Marjorie was a very devoted wife to Bernard and was by his side in whatever he chose to do. As a mother, she was an extremely hard worker and instilled that quality in her children. After most of her children had grown and moved on, she decided to endeavor into the business world and became a Quality Control specialist at the Noodles by Leonardo facility in Cando, ND for a number of years.

Marjorie is survived by her children Deborah McLean of Sun City West, AZ, David (Bobbi Jo) of Knox, ND, Dianna Skold of Leeds, ND, Dorian of Reynolds, ND, Denise (Richard) Pieterick of Mesa, AZ, Doug (Gina) of Cando, ND, Danielle (John) Golden of Warren, MN, Donn (Lori) of Cando, ND, Dale (Lorinda) of Wolford, ND; brothers Harris (aka Shorty) and Bill (Sandy); sisters Linda Buss, Mary Jo (Denny) Schrider, Kathy (Bruce) Jurgens, Judy (Ray) Fritel, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; son, Doyle; son-in-law, James Skold; parents, Harris and Olivia Hillestad; father and mother-in-law, Charles and Ruth Beck; sister and brother-in-law Beverly and James Gronos; sister-in-law Mary Hillestad; brother-in-law Vern Buss; brothers and sisters-in-law Clemens and Barbara Schaan, Hedley and Sharon Kerr; and infant sister Jeannie.