Richard H. Beatty

Richard H. Beatty was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, May 22, 1932, the son of Frank C. and Mabel Owen Beatty. He was raised there and graduated from Ottumwa High School. Following high school he began his college studies at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. On February 17, 1953, Richard was united in marriage with Lillian R. Ray at Creston, Iowa and their union was blessed with three children, Kathryn, Jennifer and David. From September of 1952 until his discharge in August of 1956, Richard served his country in the United States Air Force. During those years the family made their home in Louisiana and Japan. Upon Richard’s discharge the family moved to Ames, Iowa, where he completed his college education receiving his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. His various professional careers led them to 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 Lake Panorama at Panora, Iowa. After moving to Denison, Richard was Vice President of Hog Production at Farmland until purchasing and operating Schleswig Specialty Meats. Richard was active in many civic and community organizations in Denison some of which included Rotary, Donna Reed Foundation and Yellow Smoke Park. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denison and had served on the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo Bank. In his spare time he enjoyed pursuing his hobbies of woodworking, carving, painting, drawing and fishing. He was a great lover of nature and enjoyed spending time with their many pet Schnauzers. His most treasured moments were the times spent with his family. Richard died Wednesday evening, February 3, 2010, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 77 years, 8 months and 11 days. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lillian on July 18, 2009, a son David on October 6, 2006, and one brother, Curtis Beatty. Those remaining to cherish his memory include two daughters and their spouses: Kathryn and Lyle Jensen of Prole, Iowa, and Jennifer and Andrew Curry of Sioux City, Iowa; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Virginia Beatty of Galena, Illinois; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Alberta Ervin officiating. Music for the service included a congregational hymn of “Amazing Grace” with Nancy Miles serving as organist. Pallbearers included Lyle Jensen, Andrew Curry, Jason Curry, Spencer Curry, Chris Meleshko, Ryan Quinn, Phil Smith and Mike Breen. Interment was at Crawford Heights Memory Gardens in Denison, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the United Methodist Women. Memorials have been established to Yellow Smoke Park, Denison, Iowa, or Iowa State University Foundation, Ames, Iowa. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.