Ralph Beeson

Ralph was born on November 13, 1909 in Breckenridge, MN to Ralph Burrit and Cornelia (Honens) Beeson. As a young man, Mr. Beeson worked for Leach & Gamble, the grocery supply firm. He was also employed by Wahpeton Floral and that fostered a lifelong love of gardening. He worked for various farmers in the area, including his future father-in-law, Helmer E. Evenson. He was united in marriage to Adeline Evenson on May 2, 1942. Eventually, when Mr. Evenson retired, Ralph took responsibility for the entire farm, which in 1979 was named a ND Century Farm.
Mr. Beeson was a Boy Scout leader in the 1930's, taking his troop on camping expeditions to the Badlands of ND and Itaska Park. He enjoyed family outings to the lakes of MN and took joy in seeing each new generation learn to swim at the family cottage on West Battle Lake. He was an avid reader, especially of history books, and read the "Smithsonian" and "National Geographic" cover to cover until his death. After he retired, he pursued an interest in art, taking classes and exhibiting some of his pen and ink drawings. His family treasures the works he did for them and a calendar assembled from some of his drawings.
After he and Adeline retired and moved to Wahpeton, Mr. Beeson was invited to join the Golden K Club. He volunteered at the Senior Citizens Center, and he and Adeline contributed much time to the Richland County History Museum and Sons of Norway. They also enjoyed traveling; they visited many states, Norway, France, Germany and England.
Ralph is survived by his daughter, Claudia (Larry) Loll, Battle Lake, MN; his two sons, Michael (Bonnie) Beeson, rural Wahpeton, ND, R. Brian (Sharon) Beeson, Fargo, ND; his grandchildren, Jennifer (James) Bagwell, Nashville, TN, Stephanie (Brian) Bradley, Newark, DE, Nathan (Mindy) Beeson, Fargo, ND, Heather (Scott) Kostohryz, Moorhead, MN, Daniel (Elysse) Beeson, Shakopee, MN, Kamie Beeson, Fargo, ND, Kayci (Michael) Glasgow, Cleveland, TN; his twelve great-grandchildren; his brother, Albert Beeson, Big Bear, CA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Adeline, on November 9, 2000; his one brother and three sisters.