Paula Ann Beckley-Gildner

July 29, 1950 – June 8, 2016

Paula Ann Beckley-Gildner, age 65, of White Bear Lake, MN, passed peacefully on June 8, 2016 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Paula, the daughter of Paul and Isabel (Cann) Beckley, was born on July 29, 1950 in Faribault, MN. Her mom was an avid reader, instilling her love of books. She could read an entire murder mystery in one night, staying up until the wee hours. Her grandma was a caterer, instilling her love of sweets at a young age. Whenever she saw a treat she wanted to eat she would make an adorable mischievous face.

She graduated from Faribault High School with the class of 1968, graduated cum laude from Augsburg College in 1978 with a major in elementary education, and later went on to earn her master's degree from St. Mary's University. As a first grade and kindergarten teacher for 28 years, she influenced thousands of little lives through her innate nurturing way.

On December 29, 1979 she was united in marriage to Kenneth Gildner. They lived in Preston, White Bear Lake and White Bear Township, MN during their loving 37 years together. They were blessed with two daughters, Ashley and Bethany. Paula was the rock and the foundation of her family, which was the most important thing to her. She lovingly enveloped her two sons-in-law, Justin and Jorge, into the family. She was a proud "granny nanny" to her grandson Henry. Her beautiful blue eyes twinkled whenever she spoke of her family.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Gildner of White Bear Lake, MN; daughters Ashley (Justin) Hennig of Minneapolis, MN and Bethany (Jorge) Orozco of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren Henry Hennig, Olivia Orozco and baby Hennig due in November; and sister Sue LeMieux of Faribault. She is dearly missed by them, as well as many friends and other family. She will always be remembered as a caring wife, daughter, mother, sister and friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Isabel Beckley of Faribault, MN.

In the last months of her life she was lovingly cared for by her husband Ken, with the support of the staff at St. John's Hospital in Maplewood, Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Regions Hospital in St. Paul and Health Partners Specialty Center.

A visitation will take place at the Johnson-Peterson Funeral Home (2130 2nd St. White Bear Lake, MN 55110) from 5:00 - 7:30 PM on Wednesday, July 13. A memorial service will be held at St. Stephen Church (1965 Cty. Rd. E White Bear Lake, MN 55110) at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 14.

Memorials in her memory are suggested to be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America