Ruth Joyce Beason, 94, of Maddock, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Brethren Church in Maddock, with Pastor Luther "Lu" Mathison officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, and Ruth will be laid to rest at Zion Cemetery.

Ruth was born on September 13, 1930, to Alfred and Josephine (Norheim) Abrahamson on the family farm near Maddock. She attended Hesper School and Aggies School before graduating from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, MN. She went on to pursue business studies in Minneapolis, laying the foundation for a life of dedication, creativity, and quiet resilience.

It was during a weekend bus ride home around 1950 that Ruth met the love of her life, Charles "Chuck" Beason, who was serving in the United States Air Force. He was so taken with her that he jotted down the address from her luggage tag to write her — and the rest, as they say, was history. Their love story, which began like something out of a classic film, became a lifetime partnership that spanned more than seven decades. They were united in marriage on October 5, 1952, in Pasadena, California.

As Chuck served his country with honor in the Air Force, Ruth stood steadfastly by his side as a faithful and devoted military wife. She embraced the many challenges and sacrifices that came with military life — moving far from home, building new communities, and facing long separations with courage and grace. At just 24, with a toddler in her arms, Ruth bravely journeyed by train to San Francisco and then by military ship to Japan, where she reunited with Chuck and worked as a secretary for eight months. It was one of many examples of her quiet strength and unwavering love.

Ruth's life was a rich tapestry of devotion, resilience, and grace. A woman of deep faith, she was a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a quiet but steady presence to all who knew her. Ruth was a gifted pianist, a talented gardener, a beautiful card maker and endlessly creative. She disliked the spotlight, yet her quiet acts of love spoke volumes. She did everything for others and rarely asked for anything in return.

She treasured life's simple joys — the scent of fresh flowers, the laughter of her grandchildren, and the comfort of a good cup of coffee. Coffee, in fact, was her daily ritual, and she often said, "You aren't living if you don't love coffee." She taught those around her to slow down, to savor the moment, and to never save joy for a "special occasion." Every day, she believed, was special.

Though no words can fully capture the depth of Ruth's spirit or the love she gave, her life will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Her gentle strength, unwavering faith, and boundless love remain a legacy that will continue to guide and inspire.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 72 years, Charles "Chuck" Beason; her daughter, Linda Sue Ruth Bailey; grandchildren Kristopher (Kattie) Bailey and Dakotah (Jasmine) Bailey; and great-grandchildren June, Grace, Xander, and Tristan Bailey. She is also survived by her nieces Mary Abrahamson (and children Crissy, James, and Zane) and Sandy Abrahamson (and son Aaron).

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Josephine Abrahamson, and her brother Arthur Eugene Abrahamson.