Joan Beardsley

Mabel “Joan” Klein Beardsley, 87, of Rexburg, Idaho, graduated (with honors!) from her earthly schooling and was joyously accepted to the other side of the veil on October 29, 2020.  Joan and her husband, Bruce, moved to Rexburg in 2018 from Colorado Springs, Colorado where they lived and were loved by many for the previous 20 years.  Prior to Colorado, they enjoyed wonderful times in Utah, California, Washington, Idaho and Maryland.

Joan was born October 25, 1933 in Los Angeles, California, the firstborn child of Marvin John Klein and Mabel Horton Klein.  Her sisters, Marva and Vicki came along 7 and 9 years later completing their family.

School agreed with Joan and she graduated El Monte High School at age 16 and went on to Mt. San Antonio College that same year.  She was heavily involved in anything musical. Thanks to her beautiful voice she participated in many choirs and solo performances.  Singing remained a huge part of Joan’s life.  She not only excelled in voice, but developed great skill in conducting choirs and playing the piano and organ for her church and other social gatherings.

It was while attending “Mt. Sac.” College that Joan met her future husband, Bruce Beardsley through a mutual friend.  They were married on September 5, 1952 in El Monte, California and were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Manti Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joan was an active member of the Church and held many leadership positions.  She was also active in PTA, Lion’s Club and many other community organizations.

Her favorite position, however, was being the wife to Bruce and the mother to her five children.  She became a skilled seamstress, cook, decorator, chauffeur, baker, cheerleader, “team Mom”, etc. She and Bruce loved to golf together, go on fishing and camping trips (and even an occasional hunting trip!), and travel the world. They enjoyed making people laugh with their creative and endearing sense of humor and antics. Her beautiful oil paintings adorn the homes of her children and grand-children. Later in life, they took up riding ATVs and enjoyed making memories with friends and family on their many special outings.  Many, many years were spent serving in various Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (she was honored to be the first organist for the Palmyra New York Temple) and they considered this service their ultimate life’s pleasure.

The family that Joan loved dearly and whom she leaves behind on earth, are her husband of 68 years, Bruce Marvin Beardsley, Sr. of Rexburg, Idaho; daughter Deborah Ann (Bruce) Karren of Rigby, ID; daughter Joy Lynn (Richard) Ward of Florissant CO; son Bruce Marvin (Connie) Beardsley, Jr. of Laguna Niguel, CA; son Gregg Bruce (Korleen) Beardsley of Falling Waters, W. VA; and son Douglas Earl (Jill) Beardsley of Iowa City, IA.  Bruce and Joan were blessed with 24 grandchildren, 57 great-grandchildren and their first great-great grandchild is due in January 2021!

Joan’s two sisters, Marva Jean (Donald) Grimm of Fountain Valley, CA, and Victoria Ann (Tony) Ellis of Alta Loma, CA will miss her dearly as will her sisters-in-law Anita “Sally” Staley of Colorado Springs, CO and Sandi Becker of West Covina, CA.

The most important thing to be said of Joan, and that which she would want the world to know, is that she knew that God and Jesus Christ are real; she knew she was a daughter of God; she lived and breathed her testimony of this every day of her life. She had no fear of death for she knew her Savior and looked to the day when she would be reunited with Him.  She knew The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the restored gospel on earth, had a testimony of the Book of Mormon, believed in modern prophets and apostles, and had a great love for the temples of the church and the blessings that come from them which enable families to be sealed together throughout eternity. This was Joan’s legacy!

A memorial celebration will be held for Joan/Mom/Grandma at a Family Reunion in July 2021.

Cards and letters can be mailed to Bruce Beardsley @ 26 N. 5 ^th W #3, Rexburg, ID 83440 or emailed to bmb.tametail@msn.com . In lieu of flowers, etc., Joan hoped that if people wanted to do something special for her, they should do something special with their families. Funeral arrangements handled by Eckersell Funeral Home, Rigby, Idaho.