Helen Elizabeth (Biggins) Beck

It is with heavy hearts that the Biggins and Beck families announce the passing of Helen Elizabeth (Biggins) Beck, age 94, on April 13, 2025, in Hot Springs, SD.  We are comforted in knowing that heaven had one big joyous family reunion on that day.

Born near Alzada, Montana on August 24, 1930, during the depression, Helen lost her parents at a young age.  At the age of 10, she moved to Spearfish, SD to live with her older sister Katherine (Biggins) Curnow.  She often talked of her wonderful youth, growing up in Spearfish.  While attending Black Hills Teachers' College, Helen met and married James (Jim) E. Beck.  They later moved to Deadwood, SD, had five children, and owned and operated Beck's Chevrolet.

Helen's hard-working spirit was evident during her years at JC Penney's, in her successful years at the car dealership, and then later as a motel proprietor at the classic Gold Rush Motel in Boulder Canyon, located east of Deadwood.  Helen and Jim relocated to the Canyon to operate the motel and to follow their passion for golf.  As a long-time member of the Boulder Canyon Country Club, Helen took advantage of every opportunity she could to swing her clubs, regardless of the weather or any obstacles that were before her.  She finally hung up her clubs following her 90th birthday.  Teaching, encouraging, laughing, and sharing her passion for the game are the cherished memories held by those who knew her love of the sport.

Helen tackled the world and made an impact with her love, strength, kindness, and resiliency.  These characteristics of Helen's will be dearly missed by those close to her.

Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, Katherine Curnow and Robert Biggins, spouse James E. Beck, and children Gary Beck, Michael J. Beck, Patrick P. Beck, Patricia A. Farrell and Kimberly K. Tarrell.  Helen is survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life is being planned in July 2025.