Dena Joy Beck, of Stockton, Kansas, passed away on February 7, 2026, in Plainville, Kansas, at the age of 84. She was born on September 10, 1941, in Akron, Colorado, to Richard and Velma (Bueholz) Elliott.

Dena grew up in Akron, where she met Alva Beck, and they were united in marriage on December 20, 1958, in Akron, Colorado. Alva preceded her in death in 2011.

Following Alva’s military service, the couple moved to San Antonio, Texas, where they welcomed their daughters, Debbie and Connie. They later moved to Natoma, Kansas, where sons Rick and Rob were born. The family then settled in Woodston, Kansas, where they farmed, before moving to Stockton in 1973.

After several years as a devoted farm wife and homemaker, Dena worked at Travenol in Hays, Kansas. She later opened her own in-home daycare, where she lovingly cared for numerous children over the years. Once you were one of Dena’s daycare kids, you were her kid for life.

Dena was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the Red Hat Ladies, and the 183 Lanes Bowling League. She enjoyed attending the Kansas State Fair, camping, traveling, shopping trips, playing cards, going to the movies, and sharing coffee with friends. She especially loved attending her grandchildren’s and daycare kids’ activities and cheering on the Stockton Tigers. In later years, she treasured drives to the farm to check on the cows and calves.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah Hahn of Stockton, and Connie Floyd of Sikeston, MO; sons, Rick Beck of Stockton, and Rob (Mary Ellen) Beck of Stockton; brother, Ron Elliott of Otis, CO; sister-in-law, Lela (Gary) Glatz of Brighton, WI; brother-in-law, Alan (Mary) Beck of Pomona, KS; eight grandchildren: Tara (Dave) Wildeman of Ellis, KS, Travis (Angela) Hahn of Stockton, Tyler (Tinley) Hahn of Stockton, Shaun Wolf of Sikeston, MO, Shannon Wolf of St. Louis, MO, Sonya (David) Stone of Thayer, MO, Brandi (BJ) Dean of Pratt, KS, and Cecelia (Austin) Barnard of Pratt, KS; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and many cherished daycare children, as well as numerous friends and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard & Velma; sister, Betty Owen; son-in-law, Steve Hahn; and great-grandchild, Dirks Hahn.

A funeral service will be held on March 14, 2026, details to be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Solomon Valley Manor, Nova Theatre, or Dena Beck Memorial Fund and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. First, Stockton, KS 67669.