Maryellen Beaver
October 6, 1925 — February 5, 2020
Maryellen Beaver was born October 6, 1925 in rural Tracy, Iowa the third child of Walter and Louise (Knox) Johnson.
Maryellen attended rural Tracy school until March of 1940 when her family moved South of Cedar Creek and had to change schools. She ended up graduating from Bussey High School in 1943. Later that summer in June of 1943 she enrolled in summer school at William Penn University for 10 weeks where she earned her teaching certificate. Maryellen started teaching that fall at Fairview, Clay Township country school southwest of Harvey.
On October 29, 1944 Maryellen was united in marriage to Harold “Peck” Beaver. They lived near Harold’s parents and Maryellen continued teaching at Fairview country school. In 1951 they purchased a farm where they raised their sons, Leslie J. and Daniel G. where the boys grew up and went to school. As the boys got older, Maryellen went back to work; first teaching in Harvey, then running the Harvey Post Office. She later worked at the Marion County Courthouse, Pella Corp and finally at the Knoxville V.A. Hospital where she retired from in 1986.
Maryellen was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was very passionate about her quilting, sewing, cross stitch and embroidery. She’s made several beautiful wall hangings, quilts, pillows, and even matching outfits for her granddaughters when they were younger. Maryellen had quite the green thumb and it showed as her house, and yard flourished with many flowers inside and out. Out of all the things she loved the most her grandchildren and her orange tabby cats were the biggest pieces of her heart.
Maryellen passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center at the age of 94.
In addition to her parents, Maryellen was preceded in death by her husband, Harold “Peck” and her siblings: Lucille Boyer of Bussey, Loren Johnson of Quartz Hill, California, Martin Johnson of Tracy and Alan Johnson of Quartz Hill, California.
Those left to cherish Maryellen’s memory include her sons, Leslie (Debbie) of Harvey and Dan (Tomma Lou) of Tracy; grandchildren: Kara Dawn Beaver (Carla Smith) of Harvey, Martin Lane Beaver of Saylorville Township, Ranae (David) Ridlen of Ankeny; great grandchildren: Samantha and Benjamin Ridlen of Ankeny; several nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.
A Funeral Service for Maryellen Beaver, age 94 of Knoxville, will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Breckenridge Cemetery or to the Marion County Humane Society.
Maryellen attended rural Tracy school until March of 1940 when her family moved South of Cedar Creek and had to change schools. She ended up graduating from Bussey High School in 1943. Later that summer in June of 1943 she enrolled in summer school at William Penn University for 10 weeks where she earned her teaching certificate. Maryellen started teaching that fall at Fairview, Clay Township country school southwest of Harvey.
On October 29, 1944 Maryellen was united in marriage to Harold “Peck” Beaver. They lived near Harold’s parents and Maryellen continued teaching at Fairview country school. In 1951 they purchased a farm where they raised their sons, Leslie J. and Daniel G. where the boys grew up and went to school. As the boys got older, Maryellen went back to work; first teaching in Harvey, then running the Harvey Post Office. She later worked at the Marion County Courthouse, Pella Corp and finally at the Knoxville V.A. Hospital where she retired from in 1986.
Maryellen was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was very passionate about her quilting, sewing, cross stitch and embroidery. She’s made several beautiful wall hangings, quilts, pillows, and even matching outfits for her granddaughters when they were younger. Maryellen had quite the green thumb and it showed as her house, and yard flourished with many flowers inside and out. Out of all the things she loved the most her grandchildren and her orange tabby cats were the biggest pieces of her heart.
Maryellen passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the West Ridge Nursing & Rehab Center at the age of 94.
In addition to her parents, Maryellen was preceded in death by her husband, Harold “Peck” and her siblings: Lucille Boyer of Bussey, Loren Johnson of Quartz Hill, California, Martin Johnson of Tracy and Alan Johnson of Quartz Hill, California.
Those left to cherish Maryellen’s memory include her sons, Leslie (Debbie) of Harvey and Dan (Tomma Lou) of Tracy; grandchildren: Kara Dawn Beaver (Carla Smith) of Harvey, Martin Lane Beaver of Saylorville Township, Ranae (David) Ridlen of Ankeny; great grandchildren: Samantha and Benjamin Ridlen of Ankeny; several nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.
A Funeral Service for Maryellen Beaver, age 94 of Knoxville, will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Breckenridge Cemetery or to the Marion County Humane Society.
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