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BORN
1956
DIED
2026
Katherine Beck-Korst Obituary
She was born on April 8, 1956, the eldest daughter of Clarence Vickers Beck, Jr., and Martha Ceta Smith. Kate grew up in Greenfield, Illinois and graduated from Greenfield High School in 1974. As a University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana student she was a member of the ADPi sorority and graduated in 1978 with an LAS degree.
While living in Austin, Texas Kate began working in the banking industry, married Rick in 1980 and went on to build a career in financial systems. Her work ethic, project management and organizational skills propelled her success as a consultant, partner, and project manager. After overcoming cancer in her late twenties, Kate and Rick were blessed with twin daughters in 2002 and proceeded to raise them in their Western Springs home.
Kate was known for her straightforward, direct, and honest approach, her loyalty and love for her family, friends and dogs, her larger than life laugh and voracious appetite for books, history and movies. Her family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing.
Kate is preceded in death by her sisters Claudia Shaughnessy (Steve) and Nancy Beck, is survived by her husband, Rick Korst, her two daughters Katie and Chloe, her beloved sister, Constance Beck (Terry Manchester), many brother/sister in-laws, nephews, nieces, a large group of loving friends and associates and her dogs, Bailey and Sawyer.
A visitation and mass are scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Church located at 124 N Spring Ave, La Grange, Illinois. Visitation will commence at 10:00 a.m., with mass following at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Kate's honor to the Wellness House, 131 North County Line Rd, Hinsdale, Illinois 60525. https://wellnesshouse.org/donate/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Katherine Beck-Korst
1 Entry
Jean Hill
February 16, 2026
I always admired Kate, even as a school girl, she was bold and made her own way. It seemed she did not have a lot of parental guidance but she made her own path.
As a teen, she learned how to ride a motorcycle, rather awkwardly at first, in the gravel roads surrounding Greenfield. Not to be deterred, she would patch herself up and go again.
Because of her birthday, she was among the first to get her driving license. She and the Garner sisters and myself would "bomb" over to Calhoun County for our first jobs working in the corn fields earning the minimum wage of around $2.35 and hour. Kate at the wheel, we would roll into the farms just in the nick of time.
As a parent, I am sure angels were with us young ladies, going too fast on a country road where anything could have happened, but did not.
I also admired that she and her husband were married for life and we were all so excited that she had twins around 40.
She was a bright and shining personality to many, starting with those in her little home town.
My condolences to the family and current friends.
Best regards~
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