Laura Miller Beck

Profile Updated: March 19, 2024
Residing In: Matfield Green, KS USA
Spouse/Partner: Floyd (married in 1996); passed away 10/25/22
Occupation: Retired from USD 259
Children: Stepson, Russell (born 1982, deceased 3/30/12)
Past Jobs:

All in Wichita unless otherwise noted:
USD259--North Registrar
Lear Jet--Parts Expeditor for wing shop
Boeing (Auburn, WA)--Fiberglass lay up & supplies
Petroleum, Inc.--Secretary
USD259--East Attendance Office & P/T Bookkeeper
USD259--Human Resources Front Office Reception
USD259--GEAR UP Administrative Secretary
USD259--Native American Program Administrative Secretary

Employer:

Retired March 2012

Grandchildren:

Granddaughter, Brooklyn (born 2008)
Granddaughter, Kaitlyn (born 2016)

Comments:

I wanted to leave Wichita for years but I kept coming back. I've learned to appreciate Kansas and guess I'll stick around. I especially enjoy reliving the happier days of our youth with my old school friends and getting to know classmates that I share common interests with now. I love how digital media and social media have opened up our world and put us in touch with people. Now I talk to Our Lord and my Savior all day and night in my shack on the tracks in the Flint Hills! Blessings!!

School Story:

I've never been a model driver. My mom warned me when she tried to teach me how to sew that I'd drive the same way and she was right. I'd put my foot on that pedal and zoom--there was no stopping me. Mr. Hudson was my summer school drivers ed teacher and the first day I got to drive, I hit the only parked car in the parking lot! At least that's the way I remember it. I may have embellished the story some...

What Elementary School (s) did you attend?

Mary Benton, Pearl Kensler

What Junior High (s) did you attend?

Hadley!!

Favorite teacher (s):

Gosh, there were so many great teachers:
Glenn Blakemore, Dennie Bretz, Shirley Gabrielson, George "Bud" Hudson, Margaret Hunnicutt, Thomas Kemp, Nancy Lackey, John McEachern, William Mitchell, Arden Sanderson, Bill Scherich, Evelyn Thompson, Marc Webb, Lois Wisler, Jack Wooten...
and I remember other memorable staff: Marvin Cross, Gertha "Sunshine" Hicks, Ralph McCune...
and let's not forget our principal & vice principals! Mr. Olson worked at West until just a few years ago. There are many that I saw years after we graduated and some I still see. They seemed so adult and even old back then, but now here we are the age they were when they were our teachers. Can you believe it?

What's your favorite memory of West High?

The boys!

Least favorite memory?

We don't want to go there!

Did you ever skip school?

Once and I got caught. A group of us drove out to Cheney in my VW and had a great time. I think my mother turned me in. I was called into the office and chastised. I cried and thought I was ruined.

Thinking back - what 'crap' did you learn in high school?

Turns out, it was all crap! Who knew?

What did you want to do or think you were going to do when you finished high school?

Whatever it was, it didn't happen. I was so naïve!

Biggest thing you would do differently if you went back to your time at West High?

Get serious about what I wanted to do with my life and set goals to get there.

Where have you lived?

Wichita, KS
Fort Lauderdale & Winter Haven, FL
Lawrence, KS
Seattle, WA area
Wichita, KS
Matfield Green

Famous or interesting people you have met:

Cindy Lauper
Esther Williams, Fernando Lamas and Joey Bishop at Cypress Gardens (I was in a made-for-TV water show with them in 1960)

Have you done something you told yourself you wouldn't?

Live this long.

What did you always want to do that you have not done yet?

Go scuba diving!

What would we be surprised to know about you?

That I never finished college...

Any words of wisdom?

Tell your family and close friends that you love them and appreciate them.

Anything else?

No worries!!

Laura's Latest Interactions

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Jul
11
Jul 11, 2024 at 11:36 AM

Happy birthday, my friend! Hope all is well with you!!

Laura Miller Beck has a birthday today.
Mar
23
Mar 23, 2024 at 3:33 AM
Laura Miller Beck updated her profile. View.
Mar
03
Mar 03, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Laura Miller Beck added a photo to her profile gallery.
Mar 03, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Laura in office at work
Laura Miller Beck posted a message. New comment added.
Aug 27, 2023 at 6:45 AM

Posted on: Jul 19, 2023 at 6:22 PM

Thanks for the update! I'm moving to Matfield Green and when settled hope to come to a quarterly again. You'll have to come see me in MFG!

Laura Miller Beck changed her profile picture.
May 31, 2023 at 8:28 PM
Apr 04, 2023 at 10:27 AM

Happy birthday, Kristy! We should do dinner again, don't 'ya think? Love, Laura

Laura Miller Beck posted a message. New comment added.
Mar 30, 2023 at 8:28 AM

Posted on: Mar 27, 2023 at 8:25 AM

Happy birthday, Mark! Wishing you much fun and quality time spent with family & friends!! Life is good...enjoy!.

Laura Miller Beck posted a message. New comment added.
Jan 14, 2023 at 9:31 AM

Posted on: Jan 13, 2023 at 8:50 AM

Happy birthday, beautiful Susan...may you celebrate many more!! Take care!

Laura Miller Beck posted a message. New comment added.
Nov 17, 2022 at 6:00 PM

Posted on: Nov 17, 2022 at 9:02 AM

HBL! Many more!!

Laura Miller Beck posted a message. New comment added.
Oct 04, 2022 at 12:13 PM

Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 at 8:05 AM

Hey, Becky, can't wait to see you at the reunion! It's been too long!! Also, wishing you another year of time spent with loved ones!!

Sep 17, 2022 at 8:17 AM

Happy birthday, Dan! Hope to see you at the reunion!!

Mar 23, 2022 at 12:14 PM

Happy Birthday, Laura! Enjoy your special day!!

Laura Miller Beck has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 23, 2022 at 8:51 AM

Posted on: Mar 23, 2022 at 3:33 AM

Laura Miller Beck added a comment on her Profile.
Nov 20, 2021 at 9:23 AM
Laura Miller Beck has a birthday today.
Mar 23, 2021 at 3:33 AM
Laura Miller Beck added a comment on her Profile.
Mar 27, 2020 at 8:46 AM
Laura Miller Beck has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 23, 2020 at 3:01 PM

Posted on: Mar 23, 2020 at 3:35 AM

May 03, 2019 at 8:52 AM

Happy Birthday, Elliott! Missed you at the 45th...sure hope you can come for the 50th because there will be people that show up that we haven't seen at a reunion since graduation! Would that be you? It's been a long time! Enjoy whatever you choose to do today...it's yours!

Laura Miller Beck has a birthday today.
Mar 23, 2019 at 3:33 AM
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Posted: Mar 03, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Laura in office at work
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:07 AM
My joy and love are boundless!
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:07 AM
Brook in MeMa's office at home
Posted: Mar 27, 2016 at 9:29 PM
Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 12:07 AM
In the making: a Hadley reunion of West and North 1970 classmates. This is a preview of some who will attend from North.