Lauretta E. Fleming

Lauretta E. Fleming, 82, died at Mallard Cove October 6, 2016. Lauretta was born October 13, 1933, in Millersburg, the daughter of Alfred and Geneva Fleming.

Lauretta attended school in Onaway and graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1951. After high school, Lauretta enrolled in Bronson School of Nursing in Kalamazoo. She graduated nursing school in 1954. One year later, she married Richard Beckwith and started a family.

Over the years, Lauretta was a registered nurse in Rogers City, Alpena, and the Detroit area. Later in life, she passed her skills on to the next generation of nurses, teaching courses at Alpena Community College, SMVTI in South Portland, Maine and North Central Community College in Petoskey. She really enjoyed nursing and made life-long friends throughout her years as a RN.

Lauretta moved out to Maine with her husband, Don, for years until returning to the Petoskey area in the early 1990s. Lauretta continued her love of nursing, now as a home nurse, for many years until her retirement in the late 90s.

She was described by those who knew her best as a strong, independent, Christian woman. She enjoyed traveling, spending the winters in Florida and driving all around the country sight-seeing. Lauretta also loved antiquing, walking the beaches, reading and being with family. She was fiercely loyal to her children and loved them with everything she had. At this time, her children find peace in knowing that Lauretta has gone home to be with her loved ones again.

Lauretta is survived by her children, Diane (Roger) Brenner of Windham, Maine, Debra (Keith) Smolinski of Harbor Springs and Brian (Lisa) Beckwith of Tenn

essee.; 12 grandchildren, Joshua (Melissa) Brenner, Nicholas (Christy) Brenner, Laura (Michael) McDonald, Heather (Jerome) Beck, Brandon (Andrea) Smolinski, Sarah (Chris Weidman) Smolinski, Jason Smolinski, Saraya Beckwith, Dillion Beckwith, Kaycie Beckwith, Mitchell Beckwith and Sasha (Greg) Henrich; 16 great-grandchildren, Macey, Miles, Reid, Jack, Charlie, Maxwell, Mason, Maeve, Matthew, Collin, Rylie, Elias, Madelynn, Kaitlynn, Lillian and Declan.

Lauretta is preceded in death by her parents, Geneva and Alfred; a brother, Gary Fleming (1951); sister, Beth Lyon (1986); and brother, Alger Fleming (2007).

The Fleming family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the staff at Mallard Cove for the exceptional care Lauretta received. Lauretta’s funeral service has already taken place. For those wishing to make a charitable donation, please consider CurePSP.org.