Kathleen (Kathy) Beck died April 6, 2014, at Sitka Community Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was 65.
She was born Dec. 16, 1948, and grew up in Fridley, Minn., down the street from her best friend and future sister-in-law, Dee (Bellows) Hanson.
After graduating from high school she married Ronald Bellows and had four children. For many years she was a stay-at-home mom, because with four babies born in 3 years and 2 months, her children were a full-time job. For a short time she was married to Merwin Pearson.
Although she never wanted to know how to use a computer, many years of her career was building computer boards for Equitron Medical. Most recently she managed and tended bar for the Fly-In Fish Inn. She loved the people, and especially her regulars. Many of her customers came just to see her.
She came to Sitka in 2001, and was a member of the Emblem Club.
She is survived by her children, Mitchell (Mary) Bellows, of Ramsey, Minn.; Brian Bellows, Sitka; Jodi Bellows, Kenai; and Juli (Deuce) Audette, Sitka; and her stepdaughter Kimberly (Blake) Lanagan, of McKinney, Texas.
Also surviving are her grandchildren Zach, Tim, Jamie, Jamer, Ricky, Michael, Elaina, Noah, Dawson, Chloe, Sharla, Jamie, Kodiak and Joli; nieces Missy and Krista; and many other special family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved family: parents Richard and Shirley (Durkin) Beck, and her sister Sandy Asfaly.
Kathy requested everyone celebrate her life, rather them mourn her death. To honor her request, a celebration of life will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Sitka Elks Lodge.