Walter Beaton Jr., 88, passed away on September 28, 2013 at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, North Dakota. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Carrington.

Walter Leo Beaton, Jr. was born April 4, 1925 in Carrington ND, to Walter Sr. and Ida (Halaas) Beaton. Walter, a cherished only child, attended grade school and junior high in Carrington. He enjoyed spending time with his grandparents Lena and Edward Theodore (E.T.) Halaas. As a young boy Walt and his parents lived upstairs in the Halaas family home. When his grandparents passed away, Walt and his parents moved downstairs. Walt would eventually start his own family in the upstairs apartment where he spent his younger years. Walt enjoyed riding the Soo Line Railroad with his friends to attend the fair in Fessenden, spending time with his dogs, and fishing with his father. He keenly remembered the best cooks from his childhood, and the first car he and his friend bought together for $15. At the age of 15 Walt moved with his parents to San Bernardino, California, where he attended Redondo Beach High School. He served in the Air Force from 1943-1945, and was stationed in Jamestown ND.

Walt met his future bride, Erma Merkel, on a blind date, and they were married on February 24, 1949 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Jamestown. Walt and Erma made their home in Carrington, and together they had five children. Walt and Erma had an aerial spraying business and owned and operated Beaton’s Five Spot bar with his parents. They started the Tastee Freez, which they owned and operated for more than 20 years in Carrington. In 1997 they moved to Arizona to enjoy the warm weather and good friends. He moved back to Carrington to be closer to family, following Erma’s death in 2006. Walt moved in to Golden Acres Manor in 2011 where he spent much of his time with his dear friend and constant companion, Marian Ferguson.

Walt loved getting together for coffee with friends, bird watching, flying kites, watching the races on Sunday afternoons and enjoying a 5:00 beer. His favorite hobby was wood carving, a past-time he started as a boy when he whittled on sticks, and was finally able to enjoy during his retirement years. He was respected by family and friends alike. His love and devotion for his wife was evident when he held her hand in public, when they danced, when he kissed her goodbye and always needed “one more�, when they renewed their wedding vows for their 55th anniversary, and when he kept vigil by her bedside when she became gravely ill. He adored his children and grandkids. With a hearty laugh and a twinkle in his eyes, he was there for piano recitals, graduations, babies, birthdays and more. His granddaughters will remember him making special hamburgers at the Tastee Freeze, telling the story of his missing finger, whittling away at his latest creation, and going to church with him on Sundays. He played tuba in the Central City Seven, and thoroughly enjoyed polka music through his last hour on earth.

Walt will be dearly missed by his five children: James (Bette) Beaton, Oxnard CA; Morris (Aracelly Caselles) Beaton, Bucaramanga, Colombia; Thomas Beaton, Couer d’Alene ID; Mary Ann Beaton, Carrington ND; and Kathleen (Frank) Davis, Carrington ND; granddaughters Casey Jo (Dakota) Goodhouse, Mandan ND; Karen (Robert) Stenehjem, Bismarck ND; Roberta Davis, Mandan ND; grandson Mack Beaton, Oxnard CA; great-grandchildren Sierra and Daniel Stenehjem, and Isaiah and Elijah Goodhouse; and his beloved companion and friend Marian Ferguson. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Erma Beaton; and his parents, Walter Sr. and Ida Beaton.

MEMORIAL FUNERAL MASS: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 10:30 AM