Electa L. Beckner

Electa Laura Curtis was born on June 28, 1936, in West Carthage, a small town in upstate New York. Her Father, Leslie Curtis, was a music teacher in the local public school. Her mother, Blanche Curtis, a talented musician as well, gave piano lessons. Electa quickly learned to play several musical instruments.

At an early age, her father had her playing the French horn in the school band. She often remembered that when she marched with the school band, she could either keep in line or in step, but she was too small to do both at the same time.

Electa attended Potsdam College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. When she graduated, she took a job as music director in a school system in southern Florida, exclaiming on many occasions that her primary objective in choosing Florida was to get away from the cold winters in upstate New York.

Electa decided to join the Air Force and attended Officer Training School in Texas. On 25 March 1963, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Electa was subsequently assigned as a Child and Adult Services Officer at Stewart Air Force Base, New York, a short distance from her former hometown.

She met her future husband, Lt. Stanley Beckner, at Stewart on October 5, 1963. They were married in New Berlin, New York. That next summer, Electa and Stan were transferred to Whiteman AFB, Missouri, the first of their 10 moves during their 22 years in the Air Force. At Whiteman, she was the Administrative Officer for an Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Electa was Honorably Discharged from the Air Force in July 1964 when she became pregnant with Laura, the first of their three children. Laura was born in 1965 in Missouri, followed by Phillip in 1968 in Texas, and Rebecca in 1975 in California.

Over the years, Electa played the piano and especially enjoyed classical music. She also enjoyed indoor and outdoor gardening. For many years, she worked with children and adult organizations, often as an officer and leader.

Electa is survived by Stanley Beckner, her husband of 62 years, three children, Laura Wahba, Phillip Beckner, and Rebecca Howard, 5 grandchildren, Maria Wahba, Irene Morjana, John Wahba, Genevieve Howard, and Hemione Howard, and one great-grandchild, Kaitlin Kendrick, plus many friends. She will be missed by all.

Electa will be buried at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery on Friday, March 13th, at 1:00 PM.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Black Forest Lutheran Church in Black Forest on Saturday, March 14th, at 11:00 AM with a luncheon to follow.