Obituary – MayDe Pearl (Johnson) Beel

MayDe Beel passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 1, 2011, at the age of 97. She is survived by three daughters, Judy McGuire of Valentine, Bonita Parks of Ord, and LaVeta (Delbert) Sargent of Bethany, Oklahoma; by two sisters, Marcella Welke of Wood Lake, and Annetta Johnson of Dallas, Texas; and by 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. MayDe is preceded in death by parents Cora and Cincinnatus Johnson, husband Henry O. Beel, close friend Gene Taylor, son Henry C. Beel, sister Nattellia Haskell, and grandchild Pam Herron.
MayDe was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 6, 1914. In 1920 she moved with her family to Ainsworth, Nebraska, where they survived the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years. She graduated from Ainsworth High School with a teaching certificate. However, jobs were scarce and she worked at a bakery, where she developed what would become a lifelong passion for baking and cake decorating. She was baptized at and became a full member of the Methodist Episcopal Church on June 29, 1930.
She married Henry Beel on March 19, 1939, in Hot Springs, South Dakota. They bought what would become the Beel Ranch south of Johnstown late in 1939, and raised Hereford cattle and sold 3-year-old steers. MayDe was a hard-working ranch wife who drove cattle, put up hay, and cooked for many hired men. She earned her pilot's license and flew a small plane out on the ranch. She filled many a deer permit with her rifle.
MayDe and Henry enjoyed raising four children: LaVeta, Bonita, Henry C., and Judy Ann. They also enjoyed traveling all over the country and abroad. MayDe cooked marvelous holiday meals, always with delicious pies and dinner rolls. She enjoyed dressing up as Santa at Christmas and giving gifts to her children and grandchildren, and also to needy people in the community.
Her involvement in a dozen organizations was tireless and she served as an officer on the local, district and state levels. She served as National Supreme President of the Does 1973-74, and State President of the American Legion Auxiliary 1975-76. She was honored for baking and decorating elegant cakes for over 40 years for the veterans at Hot Springs, South Dakota. Each cake served 500. She served as the Brown County Chairman of the 1976 Bicentennial and participated in many parades, dressing as Betsy Ross and other patriotic figures. She enjoyed chess, and through the U.S.O., played chess by mail with servicemen overseas. She also played chess by mail with prisoners on death row.
She received innumerable honors for her volunteer work, which included: a citation from the National Jewish Hospital for the Research of Childhood Diseases; an Admiralship in the Nebraska Navy; a Cody Scouts Award for contribution for the welfare of mankind; the Good Neighbor Citation from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben for unselfish and patriotic deeds; and a Sunshine Award from KOLN-KGIN television for bringing sunshine into others lives. She received an engraved silver bowl acknowledging her 10,000 hours of service to veterans, which was the highest award to an individual in service to veterans.
After Henry's death, MayDe continued to live at the family ranch with Henry, Jr., his wife Becky, and their children. She enjoyed many years with friend, Gene Taylor, and cared for him until his death. MayDe celebrated her 90th birthday with many family members and friends at the Elks Club in Ainsworth. She made her own cake. She moved to Valentine to live with daughter Judy in 2009.
She was known for driving Cadillacs and for her stylish appearance. She had many friends from all over, and always had a kind word for everyone. "Love one another" was her principle. She was a true pioneer and community icon who will be greatly missed. Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 4, at the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth. Internment followed at the Ainsworth Cemetery. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of the arrangements.