Mary Beatty

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Sunday, March 1, 2026
1:00 - 3:00 PM
Ruthven Community Care Center (Assisted Living Block)
Ruthven, Iowa

Mary Lee Beatty, daughter of Raymond and Velva (Eikleberry) Soat, was born on August 24, 1942, in Milford, Iowa. She graduated from Milford High School in the class of 1960.

In 1970, she married Richard Miller. To this union, they had one daughter, Janet. Later, she married Gary Beatty in 1979.

Mary had a strong personality and a strong work ethic also. She held a variety of positions throughout her life. She worked at Jay’s Restaurant in Sanborn, DEMCO, and St. Luke’s Nursing Home, among other jobs. Most recently, she proudly held the title of “Valentine’s Queen” at Ruthven Assisted Living, a role she embraced with her trademark sass and humor.

In her younger years, she loved bowling, treasured time spent with family and was a member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley. Mary enjoyed coloring books and, although legally blind, she never lost her love of reading. She especially adored her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who brought her immense pride and joy. Known for her sassy and blunt personality, she collected a wide array of nicknames over the years by her family and friends.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, she passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 83, with Janet and Shane by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; parents, Raymond and Velva; and her sisters, Patty Soat and Helen Groth.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet (Shane) Stanley of Everly, Iowa; stepdaughter, LyRae Beatty of Waterloo, Iowa; granddaughter, Shawna (Patrick) of Templeton, Massachusetts; grandson, Kyle of Oxford, Massachusetts; great grandchildren, Elaina and Jameson; sisters, Bette (Shane) Bush of Milford, Iowa and Jeannie Sharrock of Henderson, Nevada; brother, Tom Soat of Ruthven, Iowa; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Geelan Funeral Home