Alberta F. Becksted

Alberta Fay Becksted (Runyon) February 16, 1930 to August 16, 2018 Alberta Fay Becksted, 88, of Wellington, Colorado passed away on August 16, 2018 in Fort Collins, CO. No services planned. Born: Feb 16, 1930 in Somerset, New Jersey Preceded in death by: Husband, Robert O. Becksted; Parents, Gilbert and Sara Runyon; Brother, Herbert Runyan; Sisters, Barbara Quick, Nancy Bahrenberg and Virginia Runyon; Companion, Bill Waldo. Survived by: Daughters, Mickie Meares, Beckie Krakel and Hollie Romer; Son, Beck Becksted; Sisters, Sally Fulper and Joyce Curry; Companion, Fred Bahrenberg. Born in the lush, rolling hills in Somerset, New Jersey near her family's farm, Alberta was one seven children, born to Gilbert and Sara Runyon. Her childhood was spent milking cows, driving tractors, playing at the old mill across Blacktop Road, beating the boys at ice hockey on the old millpond and skipping school to go the beach nearby. She love to tell us stories of saving the money she made from baling hay so she and her sisters could get dressed up and go shopping in the “big city” of New York. She still remembered buying blocks of ice for their celler and placing their order with the grocer once a week when he made his rounds, riding on the back of their milk truck to market and always talked about playing baseball with her siblings and kids from the neighboring farms. At the young age of 18, she packed her belongings and moved across the country with her older sister, Joyce, to San Francisco, CA where she worked for a freight company checking manifests on the ships. In the mornings she would walk out of her apartment building, wait on the corner and catch the cable car to work. She loved to ride trolleys up and down the hills and across town through the hustle bustle of the city. As time went on she was drawn to the deserts, horses and the farm life. She eventually moved with her sister to Arizona and traveled often New Mexico, even worked as a ranch hand! She often talked of saddling her horse, packing a picnic and riding with her girlfriends deep into the New Mexican desert. It was around this time, in Tucson, AZ, that she met the love of her life, Robert Orlin Becksted, to whom she was wed for over 43 years. Their love brought them back to his home in Colorado, where they eventually bought a farm of their own, compete with dairy cows, many lush acres, and 4 beautiful children. Every week she would bake several dozen cookies, a few loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls to sustain her family. Every summer her sisters would flock to Colorado from across the country to feast, harvest, laugh and attend Cheyenne Frontier Days. As her children grew the number of hearts she touched grew into 7 grandchildren, and over a dozen great-grandchildren, not to mention all the friends, neighbors, and generations who have call her Grandma. She was the first help those in need, was always caring for others, and carried a smile on her face and a glint in her eye. Alberta was a quiet, humorous woman who loved to give hugs, eat cheese, drink wine, do puzzles and relax in the sunshine. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, didn’t care for sweets but loved every bite of a good steak and loved to hold and snuggle babies. To her, nothing was ever bad, just different. A special thanks to the crew at Monarch Greens and Halcyon Hospice. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Monarch Greens or Halcyon Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. To quote Alberta at the end of her life... "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" Stories of Grandma Quiroz Family My grandma was full of love and fun. When I was little she made me laugh as my cousin, Jaime, and I would call her, “Penelope” in our high-pitched, yet sophisticated ‘adult’ voices and she would answer in the same intonation and we would giggle. We would take “Penelope’s” order in our restaurant and serve her coffee and cheese as the 3 o’clock time rolled around. Then in the next minute we’d give her a different role and she’d play along without missing a beat. Every Saturday night her and Grandpa would go to dinner at the Charco Broiler with some neighbors. I got to help her pick out her outfit, jewelry and shoes. A lot of my fashion advice I got from her as she explained to me how to pair it all together. As we’d pick out her clothes we’d be watching Star Search calling to one another to come see “the cutest act.” As I got into college our visits changed a bit from Star Search to a glass of wine paired with a cracker with a slice of brie and smoked salmon. She’d heat me little pieces in the microwave and fill my glass with a red wine as I’d tell her all the things happening in my college days. She’d keep filling my glass, feeding me brie and giving an occasional response of an “uhuh” or an “I see.” She’d just listen. That was one of her best qualities, listening. Even if you asked for advice you knew it was just between the two of you. She wouldn’t share it with anybody else and she wouldn’t judge what you were saying, or if you had to say something about somebody. She’d just listen, with her whole heart. When I got older and had a family of my own, she’d come to visit if she knew you really needed it. One instance she watched our oldest daughter for about a week while we went back to finish up our school year. When we would return home, the house was cleaned and dinner was on the table. Just scrounging up the items to throw together a delicious meal. Or the opposite, my family and I needed a place to stay, there was always a bed ready. Then every morning our beds would be all made up just like the night before we got in them right after breakfast. To this day we’re not quite sure when she’d do this because we never did catch her! -Fay Quiroz (Becksted) From my perspective, being that of a grandson-in-law, Grandma welcomed me with an open heart right from the beginning. She always loved and accepted you for who you were without question. She never said a single hurtful thing, instead she would always do whatever she could to bring you up. You were never without a smile, a full belly, or a great outlook for tomorrow whenever you were around her. She just had that effect on you. She was one of the most caring and understanding people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. It has truly been a blessing to have had Grandma be a part of my and my families’ life. -James Quiroz Although these memories are just the tip of the iceberg, if all the stories were told about her our 100 page limit would be met! Those who knew her, knew her as Grandma, whether she was their Grandma or not. That’s just who she was, Grandma. Big Heart. Kind Words. Forgiving. Loving. An Angel on Earth. And as she always said at the end of a conversation, “Bye, Bye for now.” -The Quiroz Family The Blayde Becksted Family Growing up, Grandma was the fun in our lives. I’ll always remember movie nights up at Grandma and Grandpa’s, eating ice cream and popcorn and wearing big t-shirts as pajamas. We would get up in the middle of the night, walk around the house and try to sneak up on Grandma and hide under their bed ‘til they caught us. We spent countless afternoons climbing her trees and picking cherries in her backyard. I’ll always remember how she put Grandpa’s jeans under the sofa cushions to press them as people sat on them. There were only a two occasions when Grandma got mad: when I drew on her white, leather couch with my favorite pen and when, after Taekwondo, she would take us to the store and I stole a pack of Zebra gum. She sent me straight back into the store to return it and apologize. Her house always smelled of baked goods, cinnamon rolls or a delicious casserole. As we got older, her home became a safe-haven if we broke curfew and a place to relax with a glass of wine and an understanding ear. Grandma has been and will always be a light in my life and the lives of those who knew her. The past year has been a blessing in disguise for our family. We will always cherish the memories of holiday cookie baking, Christmas morning eating cinnamon rolls and opening presents, afternoons puzzling and looking at old pictures, listening to stories of her childhood adventures, having her over for wine and cheese parties, watching her read books to our children and seeing their faces light up when we go to visit Grandma. She was forever making us laugh, gave the best hugs and poured the biggest glasses of wine. We are at peace knowing that she is Home at last. -Blayde, Heidi and Family The Chance Becksted Family There are so many wonderful memories with grandma, too many to count! Our Grandma Bert truly was everyone’s grandma. Every person that walked through her door was welcomed with that beautiful smile, a warm hug and some type of snack... usually cheese. She was always happy to listen, work hard and finish the day with a glass of red wine. She was a perfect example of kindness and love. We will miss her every day here on earth, but find comfort that she is now with her love and the Lord. -Chance and Jenn Becksted The Meares Family Grandma Bert “Gramcracker” was like a ray of sunshine; touching our lives so brightly with love, laughter and care. We were truly blessed to have shared such a wonderful woman in our lives. Grandma stood by all of us no matter what. She was kind, unselfish, and offered an endless supply of love and support to all of us. We will forever hold our beloved mother and grandmother in our hearts forever and she will truly be missed. -The Meares Family The Goebel Family Grandma was an amazing woman. There wasn't a single person who did see her as their grandma. She used to have this old black Cadillac car that when she took Fay and I shopping with her we couldn't help but think of it as our limo. Grandma let us call her Penelope our driver. One time she locked the keys of that car in the trunk. She called the lock smith and just about the time the locksmith was ready to pop the trunk one of us grandkids remembered the code on the keypad to pop the trunk and unlock the car. She was also always ready with camera and now I am very thankful for all the time she put in to make sure we have those photos. There will never be another woman to be as great of grandma as her. -Jaime Goebel The Krakel Family I will never forget all the moments I had with my grandma, there was never a dull moment with her. My grandma was the best, nicest and sweetest grandma you could ever meet. There is not, and will never be any other women like her. She was truly one of kind. For that i will always miss her dearly. - With all my love, Juliah Krakel I hold my memories in my head and love in my heart, she said to Aunt Barb one time. This is the only kid I can be myself with. - Love you, Beckie Krakel Most people don't really care for their in-laws or mother in-laws. I got lucky having Alberta for my mother in-law. She was a good friend and a lot of fun. Gonna miss you Bert. - Love, Jim Krakel

Tributes

Alberta F. Becksted

February 16, 1930 - August 16, 2018