MARJORIE ANN BEINKE Nov. 11, 2021 – JAMES LEE BEINKE Nov. 20, 2021
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Marjorie Ann Beinke (Shook), 86, and James Lee Beinke, 86, were joined together in holy matrimony June 4, 1955, and entered eternal life within 9 days of each other in November 2021 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Marj passed away Nov. 11, 2021; Jim followed Nov. 20, 2021. Both succumbed to illness resulting from infection with the COVID virus.
Marj and Jim’s lifelong commitment to each other began in college when Jim met Marj in the dining room of the campus. Their marriage brought forth five daughters, Michelle Daniels, Jenny Wells (Dave), Lori Barbeau (Marc), Charlotte Ricker (Neal), and Rachel Halvorsen (Larry).
They are survived by all but Jenny. Sadly, Jenny also passed away in November, succumbing to lung failure due to COVID.
Marj and Jim also are survived by grandchildren Eric, Melissa, Amy, Jonathan, Carsten, Karen, Nancy, Alex, Jeremy, Sarah, Daisy, Jared, Alice, Noah, Jeremy, Rachel, and Mia.
Marj and Jim also left behind beloved great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Jim is survived by sister Kay Dunn (Lloyd) from Los Alamos and brother Gene Beinke (Jane) from Clinton, Iowa. Marj’s brother Bob preceded her in death.
During their 66 years of marriage, Marj and Jim launched on many a great road adventure, driving tens of thousands of miles all over the United States, north and south and coast-to-coast, camping in their pop-up camper, sightseeing, marveling at their country’s wonders, and often visiting their daughters, as well as Jim’s brother Gene and his family in Iowa, Kay and her family in New Mexico, and Bob and his family in California.
Jim and Marj were deeply spiritual and shared a deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Marj was a multi-talented artist, particularly with textiles. She sewed, quilted, and even wove her own fabric using a floor loom. During her professional career, she was the buyer for, and managed, a successful hospital gift shop in Racine, Wisconsin. In her later years, Marj’s creativity branched out into drawing, painting, and Zentangle, and she often bought art supplies at her favorite art store in Los Alamos, Village Arts. Marj was a prolific writer, composing multiple volumes of spiritual writings to pass on to her daughters. She also made her own notecards.
Jim was an accomplished musician with a keen intellect, proficient on multiple instruments, directed choirs, wrote several symphonies and cantatas, and played with the Los Alamos Symphony for many years. Early in his adulthood, Jim was a middle school band and orchestra teacher in Racine, Wisconsin, intent on instilling a love for music in his students. While teaching, Jim was called to become a pastor in the Congregational denomination where he served faithfully, first in Pennsylvania then in Michigan, before retiring from the pastorate. Jim was also a piano technician by trade, taking great pride in the care he provided to many pianos.
After retirement, Jim and Marj moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where they spent many contented hours, visited with Jim’s sister Kay and her family, and met many people who would become dear friends. They often took day road trips in New Mexico, driving northeast to Taos and the Enchanted Circle, south to White Sands National Park, or west into the Jemez. Jim often hiked the trails around Los Alamos and always carried a camera to get the next spectacular landscape photo. Marj was a keen observer of the landscape, often translating what she saw and experienced into handmade books.
Late in life, Marj suffered from dementia, and Jim willingly assumed the role as her primary caregiver. In early 2020, Marj and Jim moved from Los Alamos to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to be closer to family. Their move to Wisconsin enabled Marj to live the remainder of her life delighting in the presence of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Marj and Jim are missed by all. Their faithful lives with God in Christ are a precious gift and legacy.