Hope Beattie

Hope Ann Beattie, one of three children of Kathryn Beatrice (Finnegan) Hea and Marshall James Hea, Sr. was born in Forest City, Iowa on March 24, 1924. Hope grew up in Mason City, Iowa and graduated from Holy Family High School in 1942. She then attended the University of Iowa where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. After graduation, Hope worked as an editor for a national Saddle Horse Magazine and as a professional horse trainer. She was the first female steward and the third female Judge in the American Horse Show Association. She rode the only horse to ever beat Jessie Owens at the 100-yard dash.

Hope eventually moved to Hamburg, Iowa where she managed the Apple Mountain Stud Farm, which at that time, was the largest stud farm outside of Kentucky. There she met James Chantry Beattie and on December 10, 1950, they were married in Mason City, Iowa. The couple made their home on a farm just east of Malvern, Iowa, where Hope taught at the Malvern Junior High School. The couple was blessed with three boys, Robert Henry, Stephen Hea, and Brian Forrest. Hope enjoyed spending time with her boys and continued to train horses. She founded the Mills County 4-H Horse Project and remained an active leader with the group for many years.

Hope and James had been married 29 years when James died on July 20, 1979. Hope and the boys remained in Malvern and Hope continued to work with horses and teach. Following her retirement, she continued to substitute teach and became an advocate for adult literacy, volunteering her time as a tutor with students of all ages.

Hope passed away at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa on November 17, 2010, at the age of 86 years, 7 months, and 23 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband James; brother Marshall Hea, Jr.; and sister Kathleen Grosklaus and her husband Roman.

Hope is survived by her sons, Bob Beattie and wife Cindy of Treynor, IA; Steve Beattie and wife Diane; and Brian Beattie, all of Malvern; grandchildren, Brendan Beattie of Chicago, IL and Meagan Heath and husband Andrew of Council Bluffs, IA; other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to:

Mills County YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
110 Sivers Road
Glenwood, Iowa 51534
www.metroymca.org