Patricia Ann Freeman Beardsley passed from this life on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Patricia was born on July 14, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Arza Ross Freeman and Edna Jeness Moore Freeman. She lived in Des Moines until 1946, when her family moved to a farm west of New Virginia, Iowa. Patricia graduated from New Virginia High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education from Iowa State University. Over the years, she continued her education at the University of Washington and George Mason University, earning her teaching certification for grades 1 through 7.
While in college, Patricia married her high school sweetheart, Dan Beardsley. The couple began their life together in Montana, where Patricia utilized her secretarial skills to work as a legal secretary. From Montana, they relocated with their daughters to Seattle, Washington, where Patricia worked as a high school substitute teacher. In 1968, the family settled in Virginia, where Patricia found her true calling as an elementary school teacher. She spent 25 years teaching at Garfield Elementary in Fairfax County, primarily in first and second grades. Teaching was her perfect job, and she loved every moment of it.
Family life was a great joy to Patricia. Together with Dan and their daughters, she enjoyed tent camping, vacationing in the Outer Banks, genealogy, and active membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Colonial Dames. Patricia loved reading, especially pioneer and historical fiction, solving Sudoku puzzles and celebrating special occasions such as holidays, graduations, weddings, and births.
During her childhood, Patricia was a member of the Campfire Girls. Later, as a mother, she became a leader for Bluebird and Campfire Girls groups, creating meaningful experiences for her daughters and their friends. Patricia was active in PTA as both a mother and as an educator.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Carolyn Lundin (Rob), Sharon Adams, Elaine Morin, and Karla Siegel (Bob); her grandchildren: Benjamin Gerald (Jamie), Hannah Bell, Pamela Geyer (Scott), David Lundin (Emily), Karen Fenton (Wes), Keith Morin, Christopher Siegel, Laura Siegel, and Melanie Morin; her twelve great-grandchildren, her sister, Dolores Marie Glafka, her brother-in-law, Lonnie Baughman, and many nieces and nephews
Those relatives who preceded Patricia in death are her beloved husband, Dan; her parents; her stepfather, Donald B. Warner; her sisters, Jeannine Wood, and Joyce Baughman; her granddaughter, Julia Allison Morin; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A celebration of Patricia’s life will be held at Kale Funeral Home - Osceola, Saturday December 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Paul Burrow officiating The family will greet friends prior to the service. A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Patricia’s tribute wall beginning at 2:00 pm, Saturday. Following the celebration of life, burial will take place at the New Virginia Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Mended Hearts Northern Virginia Chapter 200, P.O. Box 897, Annandale, VA, 22003 or the New Virginia Fire Department, 506 West St, New Virginia, IA 50210.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com