Claudia Lois Rihn Beck, a direct descendant of Alsatian Castro Colonist Lorenz Rihn III, passed away in the early morning hours on August 18, 2017 at the age of 81. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in Mico.
Claudia was the youngest and the last surviving of six children born to Joseph Jacob Rihn and Mary Clare “Mamie” Biediger Rihn. She was the first child born in Medina County on January 1, 1936 in Hondo. The Rihn family moved to San Antonio when her father took a job there. When Claudia was five years old, her beloved father passed away from injuries he sustained in an accident at work. In 1943, her mother moved the family back to Castroville to live with her grandfather Rihn. Claudia attended St. Louis Catholic School and was a Comet Cheerleader, graduating in 1953. She married Elroy Beckon July 18, 1953 at a ceremony at St. Louis Catholic Church. She went to work for Bell Telephone Company, retiring in February 1987 after thirty-three years. She started a second career at WorldCom, retiring again after fourteen years, in April 2001. Claudia was a member of St. Ann’s Society for over fifty years and a member of the Retired AT&T Pioneer Organization.
Claudia was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Beatrice Rihn, Lillian Ducos and husband, John; brothers, Burnell Rihn, James Rihn and Maurice Rihn.
Survivors include her loving husband of sixty-four years, Elroy Beck of Mico; sons and daughters-in-law, Burnell and Barbara Beck of Hondo, Joseph and Dana Beck of Castroville; grandsons, Jason (Lindsey) Beck, Jarrett (Joy) Beck; in-laws, Connie Balmos, Nelis and Jacqueline Beck, David and Jo Ann Beck, Inell and Millard Schuchart; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation was held Tuesday, August 22, 2017 starting at 4:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 pm Mass of the Resurrection will be Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Louis Catholic Church. Entombment in St. Louis Cemetery Garden Mausoleum will follow.
Memorials may be made in Claudia’s memory to St. Louis Catholic School or to any of the funds at St. Louis Catholic Church.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.