Rebecca "Beckie" A. Lawrence's Obituary
Rebecca (Beckie) Ann (Bonnell) (Lidberg) (Ochs) Lawrence, age 72, of Oklahoma City, OK, sadly passed away on July 22, 2022. Beckie was born on May 26, 1950 in Waupaca, WI; daughter of Duwain O. and Rachael (Ruediger) Bonnell. While growing up she was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir. As a member of the Waupaca Rifle Club, she enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. She also was a member of the Jr. American Legion Auxiliary Post #161 – King, WI. Beckie was very active with the “Paca Pride” 4-H Club as a member and Jr. leader. In her high school years, she was engaged in choir, band, color guard and helped care for her younger siblings.
After graduating from Waupaca High School in 1968 she moved to Minnesota to pursue her interest in flying. While training as an airline stewardess she met Darrell Lidberg. They were married in 1969. At that time, she was employed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They had three children at the time of their divorce in 1976. At the age of 27 she enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves in the communication division. Later in time she transferred to the Medi-vac unit. Beckie married Clyde Ochs in 1977. He adopted her children before they headed to the Army base in Germany. They were stationed there from 1979-1982. They had two children at the time of their divorce in 1988. Later in 1988 she married Francis (Frank) Lawrence.
After retiring as a Sergeant in 1992 she became a member of the “Gray Eagles Retiree Association” and the “Women’s Veterans Association”. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, sewing, and gardening. Virtual trips to NASCAR races with her sister was a weekly highlight.
Beckie will be missed by all of her family and friends. All she ever wanted to do was fly. Now she has her own wings to do so.
She is survived by her husband Frank Lawrence; her five children Steven Ochs, Brian Ochs, Timothy Ochs, Phillip Ochs, and Stephanie (Wayne) Freeman; her step-children Dawn Hasty, Mary Lawrence, John Lawrence, Frank Lawrence Jr., Niki Lawrence, Cindy Lawrence, and Kelly Lawrence; 24 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; her siblings Leslie Sojka, DuWain (Kathy) Bonnell, Sara (Brian) Knutson, and Doreen (Joe Miller) Papineau; an aunt Dorothy Bonnell; and her dear friends Glen and Bob.
Beckie was preceded in death by her parents Duwain O. Bonnell, Rachael and Orville Pomerenke; a grandson; a step-son; two brothers-in-law; a nephew; aunts, uncles, cousins, and members of her military family.
A Memorial Service for Beckie will be on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the Abide OKC Church, 3100 N. Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK.
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