Wilma Beckman

Wilma Beckman, 80, New Salem, died February 15, 2020 at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at St. Pius V Catholic Church, New Salem, with Fr. John Guthrie celebrating.  Burial will be at Almont Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 4 PM on Friday at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem, and continue from 5 to 8 PM at St. Pius V Catholic Church with a Rosary and Parish Vigil at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Wilma was born December 23, 1939 in Sonoma, CA to Robert and Eula Mae (Savage) Fordham.  Her father worked for the railroad, so her family lived in various places across the country while she was growing up.  Wilma received her GED while living in Reno, NV.  While working as a waitress in Yuma, AZ Wilma met William J. Doll who was in the service at the time.  They were married on October 17, 1955 in Yuma.  William was discharged in 1959 and they moved to ND.  In 1966 they moved to the family farm near Almont where they shared many wonderful years and raised their large family.  William passed away in 1984.  In 1988 Wilma married Anthony “Tony” Beckman.  They lived in Mott until Tony’s passing in 2003.  Wilma then moved back to New Salem where she resided until her death.

Wilma was an excellent seamstress and made clothes for her family as well as blankets for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was happy to teach her grandchildren how to sew.  Wilma enjoyed canning jam, reading, music, and dancing.  She was known for making angel food cakes from scratch to celebrate any occasion.  Generous and giving of her time, Wilma was active in the community and served as president of the Almont Legion Auxiliary, and was a member of the Red Hat Club, Catholic Daughters, and Christian Mothers.

Blessed to have shared her life are her children, Linda (Bill) Kalvoda, New Salem, Marianne (David) Wille, Fort Rice, Dennis (Nancy) Doll, Almont, Mark (Roxane) Doll, Argusville, Theresa O’Neill, Mandan, Paula (Kary) Kobilansky, Glen Ullin, Patricia (Michael) Erickson, Colorado Springs, CO, Michael (Jean) Doll, Almont, Kenneth (CeCe) Doll, West Fargo, John (Shelly) Doll, Bismarck, Anna (Mike) Wuitschick, Fargo, and Thomas (Sepe) Doll, Okinawa, Japan; 40 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; brother, Larry (Gale) Fordham, Deer Lodge, TN; special aunt, Geneva Gibson, Seminole, FL; sisters-in-law, Josephine Neussendorfer, Veronica Oberst, Mary (Ron) Wandler, Rose (Jim) Kraft, and Florence (John) Bjorke; brother-in-law, Dan (Marlene) Doll; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; sons, Keith, Anthony, and Richard; and sister, Anne.