Lillian R. Beatty

Lillian R. Beatty was born in Corning, Iowa, April 5, 1931, the daughter of William and Grace Hoskinson Ray. She was raised in the Corning area where she received her education. Following high school she attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. On February 17, 1953, Lillian was united in marriage with Richard H. Beatty at Creston, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Kathryn and Jennifer, and one son, David. While Richard was in the Air Force they made their home in Louisiana and Japan. Upon Richard?s discharge they made their home in Ames, Iowa, before residing in the communities of Ottawa, Kansas, LaGrange, Illinois, Estherville, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Iowa, and St. Louis, Missouri. In 1978 they moved to Denison, Iowa, where they had since resided with the exception of two years spent at Panora, Iowa. Lillian spent her married life as a busy homemaker caring for and supporting her husband and children in their many endeavors. In later years she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her leisure time found her reading, enjoying nature and their schnauzer dogs. Lillian was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Norelius Community Library Board, Denison Aquatic Center Board and an avid supporter of Yellow Smoke Park and the Nature Center. Surrounded by her loving family, Lillian died late Saturday, July 18, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 78 years, 3 months and 13 days. Those preceding Lillian in death include her parents, William and Grace Ray and her son, David Lee Beatty. Those remaining to cherish her memory include her husband, Richard H. Beatty of Denison, two daughters, Kathryn and husband, Lyle Jensen of Prole, Iowa and Jennifer and husband, Andrew Curry of Sioux City, Iowa, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two brothers, Douglas Ray and wife, Shirley of Lenox, Iowa and Gordon Ray and wife, Loretta of Creston, Iowa, other relatives and friends. A celebration of life service was held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2009, at the Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa, with Lyle Jensen and the Rev. Alberta Ervin serving as celebrants. Music for the service included two bagpipe solos, "Going Home" and "Amazing Grace" with the bagpipes being played by Mike Manthorne. Private Inurnment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison. Memorials have been established to Yellow Smoke Park Nature Center or the Norelius Community Library, both in Denison. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , in Denison was in charge of arrangements.