Lillian Clara Beaton

Lillian Clara Beaton, 94, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died Sunday, March 9, 2014 at her home under the care of Home Instead and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Lillian was born on May 27, 1919 near Gordon, TX in Palo Pinto County. She was the daughter of Louis and Josephine (Teichmann) Kainer. She grew up on the farm with German being her first language. On the prairie, she attended school through the ninth grade and then finished high school at St. Joseph Academy in Dallas, TX. She received her nurses training at St. Paul Hospital in Dallas. She worked at Camp Wolters during WWII where she met her future husband Jim on VJ Day. After the war she worked in both San Antonio and Fort Worth. She married Jim in Fargo, ND on July 3rd, 1951. Lillian enjoyed living at her lakeside home with her husband and the dog. She shared her environment with her numerous plants and over 3000 cookbooks which she read like novels. She loved to garden, sew and especially cook. Sunday family dinners were always an epic event. You were never sure what the bill of fare was going to be, but it was always delicious. For Lillian, cooking was an expression of love. She is famous for her hard rolls, affectionately called "Lilly Rolls." She was always willing to share secrets with anyone who wanted to learn the "Joy of Cooking." Lillian is survived by her husband, Jim Beaton of Pelican Rapids, MN; five children, Mike (Wanda) Beaton of Frazee, MN; Pat (Tim) Thompson of Kent, WA; Charley Beaton of Fargo, ND, Lou (Bob) Nagle of Fargo, ND; Don Beaton of Detroit Lakes, MN; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, one brother, Benard (Peggy) Kainer and one sister, Kay Beavers both of Gordon, TX; numerous nieces and nephews. Lillian was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Lucille.