Obituary of Dolores Anne Beach

Dolores Beach, 94, of Elk River, MN, passed away on July 23, 2022 at Stoney River Assisted Living in Ramsey, MN.  She was born Dolores Anne Peterson on April 13, 1928 to Marie Anne (Tuscany) and Russell Peterson in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from Southwest High School in 1946 and married the love of her life on August 19,1950.  Dolores and Ray raised their five children in Brooklyn Center and moved to Elk River after retirement.  

Dolores balanced raising five children, volunteer work with her church and a career as a secretary for an accounting firm for decades, retiring in 1988 to begin a long and rich retirement with her dear husband Ray.  They enjoyed camping for many years, traveling around the US in their RV, making close friends in their LEO’s camping group, and spending winters in Florida before enjoying 21 winters in Sun City, Arizona; biking, riding in the golf cart and playing card games with dear friends from their camping days.

Dolores loved to make her own cards using flowers she pressed, knitting washcloths and scrubbies, and sewing her children’s clothes when they were young.  She loved to read, watch the birds, ride bike, write letters to her children, and go to casinos. 

Most of all Dolores loved to spend time with her family; she considered herself especially blessed with her children and grandchildren, and grateful to have had 70 years of marriage to the love of her life, often commenting that “we had a good life”.  

She is remembered for her kind, compassionate and gentle spirit, her friendliness and desire to spread happiness to others.  She didn’t believe in complaining, and always put others' needs before her own.  Her listening ear, wise advice and unconditional love will be deeply missed.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband Ray, and her brothers Fr. Bruce and Ronald Peterson.  She is survived by children Patty (John) Mueller, Barbara Beach, David (Bonnie Dill) Beach, John (Jackie) Beach, Kathy (Kevin) Knoblach, sister-in-law Elaine Habeger, 9 grandchildren,  7 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, August 19 at 10:30 am at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elk River, MN with visitation one hour prior and a luncheon reception to follow at the church.  Burial at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN at 3 pm.

The family would like to give special thanks to the warm and caring staff of Stoney River Assisted Living in Ramsey. Their love, excellent care, companionship and compassion for Dolores is deeply appreciated and greatly enriched the last year of her life.