ktbeck's Xanga

One Year

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:33:32 GMT

It has been one year since Katie passed away. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and then at other times it seems so very long ago. December 30, 2006, was the worst day of our lives, yet we are grateful that that day brought Katie peace and freedom from the cancer that had consumed her life for 13 months. One of the things that has been so difficult is to remember how much she suffered and what she had to endure as she fought so hard. We have a political cartoon on our refrigerator with two pictures - one of a terrorist cell, the other a cancer cell. The caption reads "Enemies of Mankind." How true! It is unbelievable and so sad to see how many are affected by cancer.

Thanks to those of you who have been checking in. The love and support we have received from others have been overwhelming. Thank you! This will probably be our last entry on this site. We hope you remember our daughter as the curly-haired, smiling, beautiful, caring young adult that she was.

God bless you.

Jenn and Bob

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so

Limited...

It cannot cripple Love

It cannot shatter Hope

It cannot corrode Faith

It cannot destroy Peace

It cannot kill Friendship

It cannot suppress Memories

It cannot silence Courage

It cannot invade the Soul

It cannot steal Eternal Life

It cannot conquer the Spirit.

Merry Christmas

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:36:45 GMT

We would like to wish all of you who check in on Katie's site a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

It has definitely been a year of ups and downs. So many things trigger memories of Katie, bringing smiles and sometimes tears. We think about her all of the time and wish with all of our hearts that she could still be here with us, enjoying her favorite time of the year. As we count our blessings, we think of her many friends and our family who were with her throughout her cancer battle and who have been there for us as we've noted all of the "firsts" without her. This time of year is especially tough as it brings back memories of last year when she was here at home under hospice care. We were very fortunate to be able to celebrate one more Christmas with her.

There have been good times in 2007 as well. Brian and Emily got married in Detroit. They now make their home in Australia, where he is pursuing his doctorate and Emily has a new job. Steph and Cory became engaged and will be married next July. We are very happy about the new additions to our family. Bob and I took a 4600 mile motorcycle trip to the northwest coast of the U.S. which was awesome. He has now visited three out of the four corners of the country.

As you go about all of the activity that comes with the holiday season, take the time to hug the ones you love and let them know how much they mean to you. Life is short, and we all need to learn to care more about each other while we're here on this earth.

Merry Christmas, Katie. We love you.

Happy Birthday, Katie

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:15:41 GMT

Katie would have been 25 today. I remember last year at this time...Katie had just found out that the small lumps she had removed from her hip and her head were cancerous. All of the chemo and radiation they had put into her body had done no good. It was a huge blow, but, once again, she was determined to whip cancer. When I look back on her 13 month ordeal, I continue to be amazed at her attitude and the way she continued to fight. She never got a break yet kept a smile on her face.

Yesterday we had a little birthday gathering at her gravesite. Some family members were in town so we all went to wish Katie a happy birthday. Stephanie gave us a beautiful memory book she made with contributions from family and friends. Thanks Steph, and thank you to all who were a part of the book and a part of Katie's life.

There are many days when it seems hard to believe Katie isn't here with us and then other days when reality sets in, and we feel so empty. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers.

Love, Jenn

Katie's Memorials

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:24:12 GMT

Our lives have begun getting back to normal, or as normal as they can get now. We have had one nephew's (Steven) graduation from college in Chicago and another nephew's (Ian) graduation from high school in Denver. We also had Brian's and Emily's wedding the weekend of May 20th in Detroit. It was a wonderful occasion in which we celebrated with them during a ceremony at a conservatory followed by dinner and then a beautiful reception at a park by the lake the following day. Their first ceremony, which took place on Jan.2nd, didn't allow for much celebration because of Katie's death, so this was a much happier time. If only Katie could have been there, but I'm sure she was smiling down on everyone. The newlyweds have now moved to Australia for Brian's work on his PhD...we miss them a great deal.

Bob and I have been busy with a project we are very excited about...a memory garden for Katie. We planted it on the west side of our deck in the backyard. It required removal of cement, bringing in compost and other necessary nutrients, building steps off that side of the deck, putting in a new pathway, and planting the plants. It is beautiful! We included a cement bench and bird bath that we had, as well as a special plaque, a small angel, and even a curling stone. Steph bought Bob a pagoda that is also in there. I think Katie would be pleased.

Before Brian and Emily left for Australia, we had a family meeting to determine what to do with the money given as memorials to Katie. We looked at many possibilities and decided to distribute the money to several different causes that we feel Katie would have been happy with: Rein in Sarcoma (an organization that promotes research and help for people with sarcomas); the United States Curling Assoc.; Angels Among Us (they assist families who have children with cancer); St. James Catholic Church; Alegent Hospice; Prayer Shawls Ministry; Masonic Cancer Clinic; and some "random acts of kindness" from Katie. We feel these are great ways to keep her memory alive.

Well, that's about it. Now that school is out, I have a lot of free time on my hands. I will be working out in the yard and doing paper work catch-up. It's best to keep busy.

Katie is always on our minds and forever in our hearts. We miss her more than words can express.

Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their support, and please continue to pray for all those affected by cancer.

Jenn

Thank you

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:06:10 GMT

It has been a little over three months since we have been able to talk to, smile at, and laugh with our beautiful daughter, Katie. We hold on to the memories - watching her laughing with friends, working at the Olive Garden, sliding down the ice at the curling club, slaving away over a paper due at school, giving us hugs and saying, "I love you." There were many, many happy times.

We have been so incredibly blessed with family and friends who have supported us through everything. The unbelievable generosity of so many will allow us to do something special to honor Katie's memory. The curling community has been amazing! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! We will let all of you know how Katie's memory will live on, once all decisions have been made.

In the meantime, please keep in your prayers all those fighting this horrible thing called cancer. Hopefully, one day, there will be a cure, and families will not be devastated when given the awful diagnosis.

Bob and Jenn

Oprah

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 01:06:04 GMT

I was asked by a couple people to post when the Oprah show that Katie attended would be televised. I apologize for the short notice, but it will air tomorrow.
-Steph

She is Missed

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:25:41 GMT

It has been three weeks since Katie passed away, and we continue to be amazed at how she touched so many people. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness and generosity. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

Katie's last post was December 22nd, and she spoke of how much she was looking forward to Christmas. God allowed her to enjoy several celebrations during the holidays. We had our immediate family Christmas on the 23rd and my family's on the 24th. Katie had gone to great effort to get just the right gift for everyone, even though she was obviously experiencing a great deal of pain. It was a very special time for all of us. Katie was also able to see a lot of her friends during her weeks at home. Thanks to those who made the trip to Omaha to visit.

A few days after Christmas, Katie took a definite turn for the worse. The hospice nurses were able to make her comfortable, and the entire family surrounded her with love. She passed away peacefully at home ...just the way she had wanted.

Katie's wake and funeral were a true testament to what a special person she was. We were overwhelmed by the number of people who came to express their sympathy. Our lives will never be the same without her. She was so very special; parents could not ask for a better daughter. Her life was cut way too short, but in her 24 years, she lived it to the fullest.

She is missed.

Jenn

Obituary

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:34:12 GMT

http://www.legacy.com/omaha/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=20508941

Very Nice Article From the Omaha World Herald

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 16:18:27 GMT

Published Monday
January 1, 2007

Cancer claims Olympic hopeful Katie Beck

BY MICHAEL KELLY

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

To the end, Katie Beck maintained that life was a blessing - even if cut short.

She wrote on her Web log that she was thankful for "the way God has chosen to take me. He has given me time to say good-bye and to prepare myself for what is to come."

Beck, 24, a former Olympic hopeful who met and was inspired by Oprah Winfrey in December, died of cancer at home in Omaha Saturday evening, surrounded by her family.

"She brought joy and love into many lives," her family wrote on the Web site. "As Katie often said: don't cry because it's over - smile because it happened. She will always be our angel."

A 2001 graduate of Omaha Northwest High School, Beck was a member of a junior world championship team in the sport of curling. She enrolled at the University of Minnesota and continued to train.

She later left her team for personal reasons, but her former teammates took part in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

She couldn't have participated in any case. On Dec. 8, 2005, doctors had diagnosed her with Ewing's sacrcoma, a bone cancer that afflicts children and young adults.

Her parents, barber Bob and Crestridge Elementary School teacher Jenn Beck, made numerous trips to Minnesota. Katie underwent surgeries and chemotherapy, and at times there was hope.

But on Dec. 2, 2006, she wrote on her Web site - www.xanga.com/ktbeck - that the tumor had spread and doctors said there was nothing more they could do. She returned to Omaha for hospice care.

On Dec. 7, she attended a taping of Winfrey's show in Chicago and met the TV star afterward.

"I told her that I am just putting myself in God's hands," Beck wrote. "She then grabbed both my hands and went on to give me a very inspirational talk. Two things I remember most are 'release the fear' and . . . to be at peace with myself."

Besides her parents, survivors include her sister, Stephanie, and brother, Brian.

A wake will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the John A. Gentleman mortuary at 72nd Street and Western Ave. The funeral Mass will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church.

After finishing her Christmas shopping with her mother on Dec. 21, Katie said she could not be more excited about the holiday. She thanked the many who had visited and sent gifts, prayers and cards.

"At times," she said, "I have to pinch myself to make sure that I am really this blessed to know all these wonderful people."

More details

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:59:34 GMT

Katie's wake service will be at John A. Gentleman funeral home on 72nd Street & Western Avenue in Omaha. It will be on Wednesday, January 3rd at 7:00pm.

Katie's funeral service will be at St. James Catholic Church on North 90th Street, also in Omaha. It will be on Thursday, January 4th at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetary.

I will hopefully be able to post a link to her notice in the Omaha World Herald on Tuesday.

Thanks again to everyone for all that you've done.

-Steph