Rosemary Ann Beason

Rosemary Ann (Buckley) Beason, 84, passed away from interstitial lung disease at her Missoula home surrounded by family, February 11. She was born in Lenexa, Kansas in 1937, where she had a wonderful childhood. She graduated from Saint Joesph High School in Shawnee Mission in 1955. Rosemary met Joe Beason in 1959, when they both worked for Travelers Insurance Company. They married in 1960.

They began their marriage living in Overland Park, Kansas and Omaha, Nebraska. In 1971, they moved to Montana, where they raised their five children in Great Falls, Bozeman and Helena. The family spent every winter weekend skiing at Showdown and summers hiking and camping throughout western Montana.

Upon retirement, Rosemary and Joe hosted Big Creek Pines Bed and Breakfast near Stevensville. Rosemary used her many artistic talents in hand creating just about every aspect of the bed and breakfast and enjoyed serving her guests delicious gourmet meals for twelve years. Rosemary was president of the Montana Bed and Breakfast Association in 1998-1999. She created many friendships and fond memories.

Rosemary shared many a laugh with her hiking groups, gourmet dinner clubs, fly fishing friends, Bunko group, and neighbors. She was adventurous and never afraid to try new things.

Rosemary and Joe had many wonderful travels throughout the world and especially enjoyed the wild places. They made several trips to Alaska to fish wild salmon and halibut. A very memorable activity for Rosemary was mushing a dog sled team on top of an Alaskan glacier. She fell in love with the polar bears in Canada and koala bears of Australia, but not so much the inland crocodiles. In Costa Rica, she admired the colorful birds. Rosemary also enjoyed small river cruises in Europe, time in Mexico, Fiji, New Zealand and throughout the United States.

Rosemary volunteered time to her church, schools, scouts, 4H, and Camp Mak-A-Dream.
Above all, Rosemary loved her family and spending time in nature. She loved to be outside hiking, traveling, or just enjoying time in the sunshine. Her faith provided a strong foundation for her.

She said her greatest accomplishment and that which she is most proud of, are her 61 years of loving marriage to Joe, her five children, and thirteen grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Diann, and survived by her husband Joe, children Debbie, Brian (Brenda), Chris, and Sandy, son-in-law Marty Grosjean, and all grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Stevensville, Friday, February 25 at 11 am.

Reception to follow in the church hall.

Remembrances can be made to;

Camp Mak-A-Dream www.campdream.org or PO Box 1450, Missoula, MT 59806

The Great Bear Foundation www.greatbear.org or PO Box 9383, Missoula, MT 59807