Sue Beshaler age 94 of Arnold passed away February 16, 2024, at her home near Arnold.
Mass of Christian Burial services will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Arnold. The burial will be in the Arnold Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22nd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with the family greeting friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Agnes Catholic Church. A rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to the Rialto Theater or the Arnold Area Historical Museum. Govier Brothers Mortuary/Arnold Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com
Ellen Moore Gross Beshaler (Sue) was born October 4, 1929 , in St. Louis, Missouri, to Ellen Moore Johnson and John Edward Gross. (Her grandfather claimed she must have caused the stock market to crash). The family moved to Chicago when Ellen was five and she attended Miss Harris’ private school. She moved to Vincennes, Indiana, at age 13 to be closer to family. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1947, she moved to Arizona for health reasons and attended the University of Arizona. While attending the University, Ellen majored in Theatre where she had the honor of being a leading lady in plays with the famous actor, Don Knotts, and a prominent Broadway actor, Ellis Rabb. During her “drama career”, she was approached by a Hollywood talent scout who wanted to help her get into the movies, but she declined. She was inducted in both the Zeta Phi Eta Speech Honorary Society and the National Collegiate Players, (an honor society for college participants in theatre). Ellen was especially proud to be a Kappa Alpha Theta sorority member in which she has enjoyed lifelong friendships. She was designated a desert beauty as she was a finalist for Desert Queen, the Queen of Queens. She was also honored as the ATO Dream Girl. Ellen graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1951.
While visiting her mother and stepfather (Homer Molyneux) in Broken Bow, Nebraska, she met Charles Francis Beshaler, a handsome farmer from Arnold who she married in 1952. They made a home together on the farm where they raised 8 children: Richard Lee (Kim), John Francis (Mary Ellen), Jeanne Ellen (Frank) Staroski, Joan Marie (Kim) Adcock, Anne Michelle (John) Seibel, Mary Suzanne Yarrington, Elizabeth Lynn (Anthony) Romano and Michael Moore.
Ellen enjoyed being a world traveler visiting Russia, Alaska, and Egypt to name a few places. Ellen loved her catholic faith and visited the pilgrimage sites Fatima, Medjugorje, Assisi, and the Holy Land. She managed to see St. Pope John Paul II three times and also had the honor of meeting Mother Theresa. Back on the home front, she volunteered in various ministries in her parish church. Ellen was also instrumental in restoring the Rialto Theatre in Arnold. She participated on multiple boards including the Mental Health Board and DCCW, a catholic organization. Ellen was especially proud of her family ties with the comedian, Victor Borge and his family and she visited them often. She enjoyed having front row seats at his concerts and laughing hysterically.
She leaves to mourn her passing seven children, 31 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles (Bud), of 56 years, son Michael, grandsons Ryan and Jason, infant great-grandson Ollie Xavier, infant sister Rachel Gross, stepbrother Bill Molyneux, nephew Dave Molyneux, sister and brother-in-law Bud and Patty Beshaler Parks, and her aunt and uncle Bob and Ruth Johnson.