BEAMAN, Merritt Vern 1924-2009
BEAMAN, MORICE
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/16/2009 at 12:55:28
ST. ANSGAR, IOWA - Merritt Vern Beaman, 85, of St. Ansgar died Monday (Oct. 12, 2009) at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, Wis.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at the St. Ansgar Methodist Church. A visitation will be held directly prior to the service at 10 a.m. and a lunch will follow. Schroeder & Sites Funeral Home of St. Ansgar, is in charge of the arrangements -- 641 713-4920.
Merritt, the man who was synonymous for many years with the Central Iowa Telephone Company, was born June 22, 1924. He grew up and graduated in Mondamin, Iowa.
He married Shirley Jean Morice on October 10, 1945. Together they raised three children: Merritt, Denise, and David. Shirley preceded Merritt in death, succumbing to cancer after over 40 years of marriage.
Merritt's eldest son, Merritt, is a teacher in West Des Moines and is married to Marsha. Merritt's daughter, Denise lives in Waterloo and is married to Tim Hackenmiller. They have three children: Nikki, Cassie, and Chad. Cassie is married to Cameron Schmitt. They have three boys: Logan, Kegan, and Ethan.
David, the youngest son, is married and living in West Des Moines. He is married to Jeannie and they have four children: Stephanie, Brandon, Josh, and Megan.
Merritt is survived by his wife of 19 years. He married Beulah Inez Beaman on July 14, 1990.
His expanded family includes Carol (Montgomery) Mensink; Carol's daughter and son, Sarah and Tyler. Sarah and her husband, Jay Craig, have a daughter, Mckinley.
Other survivors are half-sisters: LaVera and husband Gene Sorick, of Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Melva Jane and husband Frank Edgor of Lee's Summit, Missouri.
During the '60s, Merritt and Shirley hosted two Brazilian foreign exchange students who have grown and raised their own families but still call him "Dad," solidifying his world class father-figure status. Merritt was involved in his community, instantly bonded with strangers, making them friends, was trustworthy and trusting; incapable of harboring ill-will. He was a member of the American Legion, as well as served on the St. Ansgar City Council.
He was grateful for his blessings even when his health deteriorated. A model patient, he often emerged from the hospital after a setback, transforming contacts into friendships. Because of his deep wish to continue giving, he chose early on to be an organ donor. One of his great joys in life was traveling. He was able to visit such places as; Brazil, Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and much of the mainland United States.
Throughout school, Merritt participated in sports. This love of sports continued into later years. He spent many hours cheering on his favorite teams; the Vikings, the Twins and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also enjoyed dancing, singing, and music of all sorts. Merritt's graciousness and good-nature will always be remembered by those whose lives he touched.
[Published in the Mason City Globe Gazette online, Friday, 10/16/2009]
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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