Loretta I. Beck, age 94, of Oshkosh, passed away on Monday, October 22, 2012. She was born in Oshkosh on June 27, 1918 the daughter of the late Arnold and Lydia (Galow) Gartman. On July 10, 1943 she married Robert Beck at Mt. Olive Lutheran church in Appleton. He preceded her in death in 1991. Also preceding her in death was her brother, Orville (Verna) Gartman in 1978. Loretta graduated from Oshkosh High School and received her BS and BE degrees from Oshkosh State Teachers College and was a long standing supporter of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Foundation. Loretta taught for 38 years in the Oshkosh School System before retiring in 1980 from Jacob Shapiro Elementary School. She was a lifetime member of Grace Ev. Lutheran Congregation and a past Sunday school teacher and member of Grace Forever Young. Since her retirement, she has been active in charities involved with the welfare of abandoned or abused animals, wildlife and the environment. She was very much interested in helping animals and has strongly supported their causes. The National Humane Society, the Humane Ed. Society and the Oshkosh Humane Society were at the head of her list. She never turned away a stray cat from her door. Her over twenty year history of support included the Salvation Army, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, DELTA Rescue, Wildlife Way Station of Angeles National Forest , Tree House Animal Foundation, Tiger Haven, Lifesavers-Wild Horse Rescue Ranch, Christian Appalachian Project and the St. Labre Indian School.

Loretta is survived by her niece, Gail V. (nee Gartman) Brandenburg of New River, Arizona and her family: David Brandenburg and Debra Behling; her nephew, James O. (Theresa) Gartman of Three Lakes, Wisconsin and their family: Cassandra Guttenfelder, Cappy Counard Gehner and Cory MacNulty; her caregiver and friend, Shirley Powers; and other family members and good friends.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 26, 2012 at the Seefeld Funeral Home, 1025 Oregon St., Oshkosh with Rev. Jeffrey Duquaine officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Oshkosh.

A memorial fund in Loretta's name is being established for the Oshkosh Humane Society.