Betty Jean Beckman

Betty Jean Beckman (nee Hutton), passed away on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the age of 84. She is survived by her loving husband, Les Beckman; children, Karen (John) Kennedy, Doug (Kathy) Beckman, and Glenn (Marybeth) Beckman; grandchildren, Mitchell (fiance Ethan), Taylor, Sarah, Kendall, Julia, Justice, Graeme, John-Matthew “Matt”, and Rowan; siblings, Barbara (Lou) Bentsen, Bruce (late Lois) Hutton and sister-in-law, Linda (late Don) Pustz; numerous nieces and nephews and dear friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Hutton; and in-laws Clarence “Puds” and Mary Beckman. Betty was born on March 3, 1942 in Chicago, IL and graduated from Fenger High School in January 1960. On April 25, 1964 she married the love of her life, Les. They shared 62 years of marriage and family in Chicago, IL, Riverdale, IL and finally Crown Point, IN. Betty worked for the Riverdale Police Department, Value Village, Hallmark, and eventually retired from Walgreens.

Betty enjoyed sewing, reading novels, a good grasshopper cocktail with Lois in her younger years and taking her grandchildren to the ‘red store’. She also enjoyed playing cards and dominos; spending many family get-togethers gathered around the kitchen table. Known as an animal whisperer by some of her grandkids, she enjoyed being a puppy raiser of black labs for Leader Dogs for the Blind based in Rochester, Michigan with Les. As avid White Sox fans, Betty and Les “enjoyed” watching games. They traveled all over the country, with a number of trips by train, in an effort to see the Sox win a game (mostly unsuccessfully) on the road.

Betty was a loving wife, mother, daughter, aunt and especially grandmother and will truly be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Arrangements entrusted to Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass 219-838-0800 www.hillsidefhcares.com

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