Beck, Warren L. Age 75, of Wayzata and Tucson, AZ, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 26, 2021, surrounded by his wife of 54 years and their three children, after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Warren was born on July 5, 1945, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, where he learned his incredible work ethic growing up on the farm. After graduating from Bloomington High School, he attended Gustavus Adolphus College, where he met his future wife and the love of his life, Donna Gabbert, singing together in chapel choir. Warren distinguished himself as a prolific writer as the editor-in-chief of the Gustavus Weekly newspaper. Warren dedicated his business career to the development and management of shopping centers and hotels in the Twin Cities: the Galleria in Edina, Westbrook Mall in Brooklyn Center, Burnside Plaza in Burnsville, Bonaventure in Minnetonka, Centennial Lakes Plaza in Edina, the Westin Edina Galleria, and the Sheraton Bloomington. Warren's hands-on management approach with tenants and finely honed retailing instincts contributed to his success. The Edina Chamber of Commerce recognized Warren's contributions to the city by naming him the 1990 Edina Businessperson of the Year, and Mpls St. Paul Magazine named him one of Minnesota's finest retailers in 1994. Gustavus Adolphus College awarded him the Golden Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Citation for Outstanding Professional Achievement in 2017, and he received the Minnesota Icon award from Finance & Commerce in 2019. Warren next turned his attention to the hospitality industry. In 2008, he opened the Westin Edina Galleria, and in 2013, he acquired the Hotel Sofitel Minneapolis and rebranded it as the Sheraton Bloomington. Both hotels receive stellar ratings from guests and are consistently in the top tier of their respective classes, with the Westin winning the 2018 Hotel of the Year Award from Marriott International in the U.S. Premium District category. In addition to his business career, Warren was active in volunteer work, including nearly 30 years as a trustee of Gustavus Adolphus College, with two stints as board chair, and 20 years on the board of VocalEssence. He also served on the boards of Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation, Gabberts, Inc., and True Concord Voices & Orchestra in Tucson, Arizona. As a result of his work helping Gustavus rebuild in the aftermath of a devastating tornado, in 1999 Warren was awarded the Greater Gustavus Award by the college and was named to the Volunteer Hall of Fame by Mpls St. Paul Magazine. He and Donna deeply value education and have given generously to Gustavus. Warren sang in the choir at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis for 25 years and served as a deacon and moderator of the church. A recovering handball player, downhill skier, and windsurfer, Warren enjoyed hiking in the mountains with his family and friends, showing his Hackney ponies, and taking his grandchildren for boat rides on Lake Minnetonka. Warren was a humble, honorable person whose word could be relied on under any circumstance. He treated everyone as his equal, with respect and the utmost courtesy, and was a tremendous role model to many. His integrity, generosity, and calm demeanor made his leadership especially strong. He loved his family above all else and was an incredible source of strength for them. The family would like to thank Dr. Steven Rousey of Minnesota Oncology and Brenda Janiak and her team for their wonderful care. Warren is survived by his beloved wife Donna; daughter Paula Beck, son-in-law Scott Moore, and grandchildren Griffin and Sabina, of Saint Paul; daughter Amy Strom, son-in-law Pete, and grandchildren Charlie and Addie, of Bozeman, MT; son Peter Beck, daughter-in-law Nicole, and grandson Tyson, of Edina; sister Marilyn Brooks and brother-in-law Lynn, of Lynchburg, VA; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Lois Beck, and brother Allen Beck. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gustavus Adolphus College, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, Walker | West, or the Climate Change Fund. A private memorial service will be held.

Published on May 2, 2021