Michelle Van Beek

Michelle Van Beek, 49, passed away November 10, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 18 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. A prayer service and a time for sharing of memories will be held at 7 p.m.

Burial will be held at a later date at Hull Cemetery, Hull, N.D., where Michelle will be laid to rest next to her father.

Michelle, the oldest daughter of Dennis and Cecilia (Baumgartner) Van Beek, was born November 7, 1973, and grew up in Strasburg. The family loved camping and fishing. Michelle was always the first one on the boat ready to catch that trophy walleye or at least the first fish of the day which was always worth $1.00 from the captain of the boat. She loved to swim, was a lifeguard and swimming instructor, an excellent chef and baker, and an avid Minnesota Wild fan.

After high school graduation in 1992, she attended Northern State and worked at the Comfort Inn in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She was proud of the award received through that hotel for being an employer of the handicapped and disabled. She went on to become a Regional Manager for Castle Management overseeing hotels in Brandon, S.D., North Sioux City, S.D., Council Bluffs, I.A., and Ames, I.A. She made many lifelong and dear friends during her 10 years in the hospitality industry.

In 2008 Michelle was diagnosed with her first of four cancers. All were a tough journey but with courage, faith, and the support of family and friends, she fought each one knowing that every day was a gift from above and all was in God’s hands. She opted to forego traditional treatment after her fourth diagnosis and enjoyed her last summer with family and friends.

Michelle met Brian Miller in 2010. Brian was her soulmate and they supported each other through all their ups and downs. Sadly, Brian passed away unexpectedly in 2019. Michelle then moved to Bismarck to be closer to her family.

Michelle will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by her mother, Cecilia Van Beek, Bismarck; her dear sister, Jody Van Beek, and special nephew, Ethan Van Beek-Hoerner, Bismarck; aunts and uncles, Lorraine Nieuswma, Gail and Sturg Van Vugt, Sioux Center, Iowa, Gerry and Denise Van Beek, Bismarck, Frank Bosch, Strasburg, Thomas and Mary Baumgartner, Bismarck, Barry and Cheryl Baumgartner, Strasburg; many Nieuwsma, Van Beek, Van Vugt, Baumgertner, and Bosch cousins; special friends, Carla and Myles Jones, Lincoln, Nebr., and Angela and Chad Schoffelman, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and her godchildren, Katie Baumgartner and Bryce Jones. The prayers, love, and support for Michelle will always be remembered.

Preceding her in death were her fiancé, Brian Miller; father, Dennis Van Beek; grandparents, Gertrude and Edwin Nieuwsma; grandfather, Gerald Van Beek; grandparents; Alois and Margaret Baumgartner; godmother, Eileen Bosch; and uncle, Edwin L. Nieuwsma.

In lieu of flowers, Michelle requested memorials be given to a cancer support charity close to her heart, Missions4Maureen, 1568 S. Green Road #21602, South Euclid, OH 44121.