Imogene Beardsley

Imogene Gladys Beardsley

January 15, 1935 ~ September 20, 2021

Imogene Gladys Beardsley, the daughter of Leonard Virgil and Hazel Charlotte (Poole) Hembry, was born January 15, 1935, in Decatur County, Iowa, and passed from this life on September 20, 2021, in North Ogden, UT, at the age of 86.

Growing up on a farm in Iowa, she learned about hard work, the practical side of life and began to develop a sense of humor, all of which she carried throughout her life. Imogene graduated from Leon High School in 1953 before beginning her career at Banker’s Life in Des Moines, IA.  She married the love of her life, Thomas Miles Beardsley, in February, 1956, and they had two daughters.

Imogene lived in Chariton, IA, almost 10 years where she worked for Hy-Vee Wholesale in their administration area.  The family relocated to Clive, IA, in 1968.  After working as a bookkeeper for Jerry’s Homes, Inc., for almost 20 years, she and Tom retired to Lakeview, AR.  Recently, she moved to UT to be closer to her daughter.

While in the Des Moines area, she was active in the philanthropic sorority, Phi Tau Omega and the Home Builder’s Association.  She took her fun-loving, charismatic personality to the Lakeview area and volunteered with the Fishing Club (especially their annual fishing tournaments), Lakeview Community Club and VFW Auxiliary. She discovered bowling and ruled the lanes later in life.  Her family wishes to acknowledge all her special friendships and they still enjoy the fun-filled stories.

Imogene loved being with her family and friends and enjoyed many family vacations exploring the United States. She gladly gave up camping after their Florida adventure and traded their camper for a cabin retreat in Southern Iowa.  She was passionate about any type of gambling—especially the slots--and always looked forward to trips to casinos anywhere from Tunica, Biloxi, Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, to Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA!  It didn’t matter where she went, she won.

Those relatives who preceded her in death are her husband, Tom, of 43 years, her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Margaret Beardsley; sisters, Lois Gray, Lucille Baughman, Betty Lou Halsted, and Martha Mae Hembry; brothers, Doyle Hembry, and Gail Hembry; in-laws, Marguerite and Hugh Pidcock, Paul and Mary Beardsley, Donald and Berdean Beardsley, Iris and Calvin Brewer, Janice and Robert Daily, Art Beardsley, Jack Beardsley, Bill Baughman, Bill Halsted, and Harry Bethards; and granddaughter, Randi Woodside.

Left to cherish Imogene’s memory are her two daughters:  Rebecca (William) Woodside of Pleasantville, IA, Marjorie (Scott) of Pleasant View, UT, 11 grandchildren and their spouses, 34 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eloise Bethards of Grimes, IA, Kay (Jim) Fenn of Nevada, IA, and brothers, Fred and Gary Hembry of Osceola, IA; sisters-in-law, Lola Hembry of Corning, IA, and Dana Hembry of Osceola, IA; brother-in-law Wiley Gray of Altoona, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and many special friends.

To honor her, the family is hosting a Celebration of Life brunch at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA, on October 16, 2021, from 11am-1pm.  Imogene will be reuniting with Tom at Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery in Mountain View, AR, with a private inurnment.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you pay tribute to Imogene by spending time with a special friend or family member, raising your favorite drink, and toasting her for good luck.  Cheers!