Opal Lavonne Beaty

Opal LaVonne Beaty, one of five children of Emma Mae (Kennedy) and James Garfield Frizzell, was born on November 30, 1919 in Oakland, Iowa. When Opal was five years old, the family moved to McDonald, Kansas in 1925 and returned to Oakland in 1933. Opal graduated from Oakland High School in 1937.

Opal and Ernest Arthur Beaty were married on October 5, 1937 in Tarkio, Missouri. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Beverly, Verla Ann, and Connie. Opal was a homemaker, mother, and helped Ernest with farm work until they retired in 1984.

Opal and Ernest were married 56 years when Ernest died on January 11, 1994. Opal moved from the farm to live in Oakland after Ernest's death, then moved to the Oakland Manor in 2009.

Opal was a member of the Wheeler Grove Church and had held church and Women's Fellowship offices. She also volunteered for the Senior Center. Among her many enjoyments were sewing, crafting, gardening, tending her many flowers, cooking, making jelly, and baking pies and cakes for friends and family. She loved birds, caring for many animals, and always named all their livestock. Opal especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Opal passed away on June 22, 2012 at the Oakland Manor at the age of 92 years, 6 months, and 22 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ernest Beaty, sister Edna Beaty, and brothers, Calvin Frizzell and Lyle Frizzell.

Opal is survived by her daughters, Beverly Livengood and husband Bill, Lincoln, NE, Verla Ann Beaty, and Connie Finney and husband Leon, all of Council Bluffs, IA; grandchildren, Kelli Kerns and husband Stu, and Bill Livengood and wife Mary, all of Lincoln, Brian Finney and wife Krista of Denver, CO, and Lynne Kendrick and husband Ralph of Cedar Rapids, IA; great-grandchildren, Lindsay, Bryson, and Schyler Kerns, Ashley and Zachary Kendrick, Tyler and Samantha Finney, and Olivia, Harrison, and Chandler Kerns; brother Gordon Frizzell and wife Shirley of Oakland; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.

A memorial fund has been established.

Interment in Wheeler Grove Cemetery.

Loess Hills Funeral Home of Carson in charge of arrangements.