Marilouise Masten Beeson (2024)

MARILOUISE MASTEN BEESON The matriarch of the Beeson family passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, March 14, 2015. Marilouise would not awaken that morning to us, but rather she was greeted by our heavenly Father and is now rejoicing, having been a good and faithful servant. Marilouise Masten Beeson was born to David and Ada Baldwin Masten on December 1, 1919 at the old Indian Hospital in Hoopa, California. She passed at the spit-fire age of 95 years. She was the last survivor of the original Masten family and oldest living Hoopa Tribal Member at the time. She was preceded in death by her parents David and Ada; her husband Ernest “Ernie” Beeson Sr.; her six brothers: Peter Masten Sr., Paul Masten Sr., Cecil “Snag Hogan” Masten, Harold “Gary” Masten, Leonard “Duke” Masten Sr. and David Masten; her four sisters: Imogene “Toots” Wolfinbarger, Mildred “Millie” Gray, Edith “Edie” Gray and Ada Mae “Bubbles” LaValle; four of her children: Ernest “Ernie Bird” Beeson, Lorrie Sanderson, David Beeson and William “Puggy” Gray; her granddaughter Susie Reed; and her great grandson Jackob “Hawk” Sanderson. As a young child, Marilouise attended the Hoopa Indian Boarding School. Later, as with many children, she went off to school at Sherman Indian School in Riverside, California and Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. In September 1936 she married Ernest Arnold “Ernie” Beeson. They spent several years following the logging industry, living in Branscom, Fieldbrook area and several other locations before buying their home in Hoopa and running E.A. Beeson Logging. Having both come from very large families, they set about making their own family. Their surviving children are: Joseph “Joe” and Audry Beeson, Diane and Harold Reed, Lois and Don Perkins, Donna Parker and Clyde Moon, Arnold “Arnie” Beeson, and Kathleen and David Casebier. Throughout her lifetime, Marilouise was viewed as a strong woman and you never misunderstood her wishes. She spoke simply and to the point. She had a colorful vocabulary, and if she really needed you to understand, no doubt – you understood when she was finished with you. Her stature was small, but her character was immense – just like a firecracker. She was a jokester; she loved to hear a good joke and was up to telling a good joke too – she relished a good laugh. Not only did she raise her own children, but there were many family members and family friends whom she cared for and raised as her own. Melanie was Gram’s “saving grace”. After all the children were grown and out of the house, Melanie was there for her. It was common place to plant huge vegetable gardens, harvest large orchards and can thousands of jars for the cupboards year after year after year. Ernie raised cattle so the freezer was always stocked. Salmon and abalone fishing in Fort Bragg were great family trips; deer hunting and hookin’ eels kept the large family supplied. Several trips to Reno gave them fun memories. Marilouise worked very hard raising her children and keeping their home. She was the best baby-sitter for her grandchildren and was a very loving mother-in-law. She could grow anything and was an excellent cook. She loved her flower gardens and blooming cactus. Her husband Ernie passed the year of their 50th wedding anniversary. Thereafter, Marilouise kept busy with crossword puzzles, cheering on the San Francisco Giants and 49er’s, and enjoyed watching her favorite television shows. She passed away on “Saddle Up Saturday” missing her TV favorites Matt Dillon and Festus – to whom she is now kibitzing with about Miss Kitty. She rarely missed her weekly hair appointments and always dressed to the 9’s. She had the best luck with her “one-arm-bandit” encounters at “the office”, aka Lucky Bear Casino. She had a memory like an iron box – people always called her if they needed the scoop about events that happened last week or 60 years ago – she was always sharp as a tack. On a cruise to St. Thomas, Marilouise won the prize for most grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When visiting at Humboldt State College, Joe was kidded as having a sexy hot girlfriend. She was fiercely independent and didn’t hesitate to let you know her opinions. She’d drive her Ford Grand Torino, sitting on top of a pillow so she could see between the steering wheel and dash. She resided in her own home, caring for herself and doing as she pleased until the last couple years of her life. Marilouise had a zest for life and her vibrant personality will be a treasure to cherish forever. Marilouise’s legacy lives on in her 21 grandchildren: Julie Stewart, Pattie St. Denis, Joe Joe Beeson Jr., Jackie Soria, Linda Brown, Harold Reed III, Russell Beeson, Holly Jacob, David Herrera, Billy Herrera, John Perkins, Scott Perkins, Roger Sanderson, Richard Sanderson, Melanie Sanderson, David Gray, Brandon Gray, Justine Gray, Angie Shull, Katelyn Casebier, Dallas Casebier; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Honorary Pall Bearers are her grandson-in-laws: Rick Stewart, Jose’ Soria, Gary Brown and Mark Jacob; and her great-grandsons: Richie Stewart III, Joel Beeson, Joey Beeson III, Estebon Soria, Joey Soria, Garrett Brown, Dustin O’Neil, Zachary Reed, Joseph Herrera, Nicholas Perkins, Ben Sanderson, David Sanderson, Ricky Sanderson Jr., Hunter Sanderson, Brian Yingling, Christopher Yingling, Nathaniel Jacob and Austin Jacob. The family would like to especially acknowledge Donna Parker, Marilouise’s daughter and primary care giver. The doctors commented that Donna’s records were impeccable and made providing medical care more effective. Daughters Lois and Kathy were also care givers supporting Donna. Having your loving children as caregivers has got to be the most special of blessings. There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, April 3, 2015 at the Neighborhood Facilities building in Hoopa, California at 11:00 am. Officiating will be Toni Burchard. Guests are invited to share with the family a potluck side dish or dessert immediately following the service at the Hoopa Community Hall (formerly Presbyterian Church) on Loop Road. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com under Obituaries.