J. Ardith Beaman

J. Ardith Beaman, age of 98 of Bismarck, Arkansas passed away peacefully on August 12, 2019, surrounded by her family. Ardith was born to Clarence and Frances Bean of Gilbert, Minnesota, on December 11, 1920. She lost her father at the age of 5 years old. Ardith attended and graduated from Mountain Iron High School in 1939. During high school she struggled with kidney disease and eventually lost her right kidney. Because of this she was not allowed to pursue her desired career, nursing, and instead she did 3 years of home economics in college. During this time, they moved to Everett, Washington so her mother could help her sister which had terminal cancer. Ardith got a job in Puyallup, Washington coloring black and white photos by hand. During that time, she met William C. Wolsey, and in 1944 they were married. In 1945 they had Jack C. Beaman and a year later they were divorced.

After the divorce Ardith worked for Sound Casket and Collins Casket as a floor manager, Interior designer, in Everett, Washington. In 1949 she married Robert G. Beaman and they raised together 3 children, Jack, Dick (Eli), and Jodi. After they were married Robert pursued a doctor degree in Optometry. Once his practice was established, she retired. Sadly in 1994 Robert (Bob) passed away. Prior to Bob’s death they did lots of traveling in their motorhome.

After Bob’s death, Ardith volunteered at Bethany Home helping with the ceramic class for many years. She also joined YMCA and was a member for 20 years in Marysville, Washington. She enjoyed traveling with friends and she loved children. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and led out in the children department for years. She also played the piano. When she was a child, she played the song “Falling Waters” on a Minnesota Radio station. Ardith LOVED snow. She was an outdoor person and loved being in the sun. She enjoyed crocheting, making pickles, swimming, walking and reading. She loved spending time outdoors swinging on her swing reading her Reader’s Digest. Ardith loved baking cookies and banana bread to share with her friends and neighbors. She was grandma Ardith to many. She was involved in many activities in her neighborhood and with YMCA. They entertained many people in their home during holidays and they had many pool parties at their home in Marysville, Washington.

In January 2016, at the age of 95, Ardith moved to Bismarck, Arkansas to be closer to family members. She enjoyed her home in the woods, watching birds and deer, going for walks and traveling with family. During the time she lived in Arkansas, she got to visit her hometowns in Minnesota. She got to go to Mount Rushmore Memorial, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Noah’s Ark, Washington DC, New York, Niagara Falls, Battle Creek Michigan, St. Louis, San Diego and other parts of California and other states. She travelled most of the United States and enjoyed every minute of it. She visited 3 caves and was the oldest person to hike through couple of the caves, and one of them had over 200 steep steps. Her favorite pet was Mitzy, a little Pomeranian/Pekingese/Chihuahua dog which she had for nearly 18 years. Mitzy accompanied Ardith wherever she traveled.

Ardith lived life to the fullest. She loved her faith and was faithful to the very end. She will be greatly missed. Ardith was preceded in death by both of her parents, her sister, her brother, and her beloved husband. She is survived by her two sons, daughter, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Her viewing and graveside Service will be on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 starting at 2:00 pm at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Rd. in Lynnwood, WA 98036.

Her memorial will be on Sunday, August 25, 2019, starting at 2:00pm at Marysville Seventh Day Adventist Church 12012 51st Ave NE, Marysville. Please visit www.floralhillslynnwood.com to leave your condolences on Ardith online guestbook.