Wanda Beattie

Wanda Kathleen Johnson Beattie
Firstborn to Lydia Neskala and Arthur Theodore Johnson Sr., Wanda Kathleen Johnson was born in DeLamere, ND on Saturday, August 27, 1920. She died on Saturday, May 3, 2014. Wanda had been a widow for nearly 24 years after the passing of her husband, Floyd Charles Beattie.
Wanda had work responsibilities throughout her life. From a young age, she was active in caring for her six siblings. During the depression, her father was laid off from the Northern Pacific Railroad, so to contribute to the family’s finances she worked babysitting and cleaning houses. At the same time, Wanda was able to find time to play the French horn in the school band and the violin in the orchestra. When she was 15, she noticed an ad in the paper for a summer job at a lake cottage, hitchhiked 60 miles to Fargo, and was hired for the job. To provide income for her family, she spent the next two summers cooking and babysitting for the family and their three children. By the time she was 16 years old, she had carried a lot of responsibility.
After high school, she enrolled at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, seeking a degree in architecture. Unfortunately, she was not able to further her education because of finances. She moved to Washington D.C., enlisting in the Navy as one of the first woman to serve during WWII, working both in cartography and architecture. She met and married her husband while she served in the Navy.
Her husband was stationed at a number of military bases, and when her children were young, she was a seamstress in her home. She would often stay up all night working on beautiful gowns for the wives of U.S. Air Force officers. She was employed in a number of positions at Lockborne Air Force Base, which later was renamed Rickenbacker Air Force Base. She enjoyed the company of coworkers and customers alike, and after her retirement at 70 years old, lamented that she had retired too young.
During her retirement, she served as president of the BTL Investment Club from its inception in 1994 with her friends Barbara Kazee, Richelle Konshak, Susan Toole, Margaret Harrod-Wardell, Adelynn VanAernum and Carol Blaney.
She spent her last day in Pickaway Manor with her dear friends Carol earlier in the day and later Adelynn, enjoying their time together, which also entertained the staff. After dinner, Wanda encouraged Adelynn to go home to care for her husband, Doug, and their pets, and get some sleep. Adelynn gave her a kiss on the forehead, Wanda said “Thank you. You go home. I’m going to have a really good sleep now.” Shortly thereafter, Wanda died peacefully in her sleep after a day of sharing memories in friendship.
Wanda was admired for her work ethic, her service to her country, her creativity, independence, intellectual curiosity and her love of family. She spoke with pride about her Norwegian and Finnish heritage, which no doubt was at the root of her fierce independence and resilience in adversity. She deeply cherished her children, grandchildren, and friends who likewise loved and cared for her.
She is survived by her sister Angie and husband Arthur T. Jore, of Fargo, ND, sister-in-law Shirley Wilson and her son Carl in Lewiston, NY, sons Howard Beattie of Mammoth, AZ, Walter Beattie and wife Michell and grandson R.C. of Temperence, MI, daughters Cindy Ann Beattie of Columbus, OH and Jeanne (Sandy) and husband Bruce Munger and granddaughter Michelle of Cape Elizabeth, ME. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Beattie and brothers Garfield, Arthur T. Jr., Erle B., Paul R., sister Loretta (Gordon) Sheppard, and her parents Lydia and Arthur T. Johnson Sr.
Military graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday May 10, 2014 at Franklin Hills Memory Gardens. Friends may call from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville.