Frances Ash Beechner, widow of Ralph (Beech) Beechner, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at the age of 102 at her home in Lincoln.
Frances was born in Canton, Illinois on November 22, 1906 to Lon M. and Dollie Belle Churchill Ash. Frances was one of seven children and she graduated from Canton High School in 1924 and graduated from University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign in 1928 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduation, she attended the National Recreation School in New York City and graduated in 1929. In the summers of 1928 and 1929, she was Recreation Director of Camp Dixie for Girls in Clayton, Georgia before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Frances was recruited to Lincoln, Nebraska to fulfill two jobs–Supervisor of Physical Education in the elementary schools and Assistant Director of Recreation for the City of Lincoln. She recalls her arrival in Lincoln on Labor Day in 1929 as the hottest day of her life. Frances arrived knowing no one and since there wasn’t a hotel room available, she spent her first night in the YWCA dormitory.
In Lincoln, Frances met her soon-to-be husband Ralph Beechner. When Ralph and Frances wanted to get married, Frances had to resign her school job because her contract stated she wouldn’t “smoke, drink or get married.” In 1934, they started a family and Frances stayed home to raise her three children Richard, Barbara and Samuel.
Frances dedicated much of her life to public service benefiting youth, recreation and educational causes including leadership roles in American Association of University Women as Publicity Director and the Lincoln Garden Club. She was President of the Sheridan Elementary PTA and President of the Lincoln City PTA Council. In 1964-67, she served as Nebraska State President of the PTA. During her tenure, the state membership peaked at 72,000 members.
Frances is a life member of the State PTA and National PTA. She served as Director of the Jr. Red Cross during WWII and she was President of the Campfire Council at the time Kiwanis Club moved the cabins from the Banks of the Blue River to higher ground. Frances was President of LARTA (Lincoln Area of Retired Teachers Association) and was on the Capitol Committee to build the fountain at 27th and Capitol Parkway. Frances was Chair of the Women’s committee for the March of Dimes/Eastern Nebraska. She also served on the Lincoln Arts Council, Lancaster County Safety Council, Inter-club Council, and Lincoln Parks and Recreation Board for 18 years, advocating locations for Irvingdale, Eden Park and University Place swimming pools.
Most recently, she’s been active in Saint Paul United Methodist Church where she’s been a member since 1931. She’s been president of the Women’s Society and served on several church committees.
Frances is a 70+ year member of P.E.O. Chapter V (past President and Lincoln Roundtable). She’s a Former Regent of Daughters of the American Revolution and the William White Chapter of Colonial Dames. Frances served on Governor Morrison’s Committee on Education, and on the board of ETV. She served as co-host of the Beech’s Chili Feed, which started in 1956 and ran thru 1972 to bring together coaches and the sports media.
During her life, she received many prestigious awards including: Park Builders Award, Schoolmasters Award, Anne Campbell Pioneer Award, National Recreation Association Award and she was named an honorary Admiral of the Nebraska Navy for her distinguished public service.
Frances is survived by son Dick and Barbara Beechner of Kearney, Nebraska, daughter Barbara and Dick Collins of Andover, Massachusetts and Samuel and Cindy Beechner of Woodinville, Washington.
Grandchildren (10): Lea Wylie (Prairie Village, Kansas), Richard “Beech” Beechner (Kearney, Nebraska), Sara Beechner (Austin, Texas), Susan Flint (Rogers, Arkansas) Laurie Brosnan (Andover, Massachusetts) , Charles Ziegenbein (Andover, Massachusetts), Cathy Kea (Southborough, Massachusetts), Raynee McLemore (Sandpoint, Idaho), Courtney Dickinson (Fall City, Washington), Burke Bordner (Ellensberg, Washington)
Great-grandchildren (20): Nephew, Carlton Paine (Lincoln, Nebraska); Niece, Elizabeth Dillon (Boulder, Colorado); Niece, Dorothy Mapes (Lincoln, Nebraska); Nephew, David Beechner (Waverly, Nebraska); Sister-in-law – Matilda Ash (Ashkum, Illinois) and multiple nieces and nephews in Illinois
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and twin sisters, her husband Ralph W. Beechner and grandson Richard Dill Beechner.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
Lincoln Foundation for Public Schools – www.foundationforlps.org
Saint Paul United Methodist Church – www.saintpaulumc.org
Lincoln Parks and Recreation Foundation – www.LincolnParks.org
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 11:00 A.M. Saturday (4-4-09) Saint Paul United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 1144 ‘M’ Street. Rev. David Lux officiating. No Visitation.