On Christmas Day 2014, Golda Beals joined God's heavenly choir with her husband of 62 years by her side. Born Golda May O'Connell on January 3, 1934, in Clear Lake, Iowa, she was the seventh child of John E and Daisy (Trotter) O'Connell. The family returned to the Drake Park area of Des Moines where Golda grew up singing and playing trombone in the marching band at Tech High School. She met the love of her life, Bruce Beals (of Earlham), at a Youth Temperance Camp and married in 1952 at Gatchel United Methodist Church. They created their own little quartet when they had two children: Beth and Larry. Golda enjoyed working as a secretary in the Iowa Senate and the Executive Council for both Governor Ray and Governor Branstad, before retiring in 1996.Golda and Bruce were regular members of the church choir at Windsor Presbyterian, and more recently Westkirk Presbyterian. Golda sang with the Sweet Adeline's, was a soloist at various events and acted in several local theater productions. She painted, played piano, volunteered for the Republican Party, Mercy Hospital and the Civic Center. Golda loved her family, and was especially fond of spending time with her grandchildren. We will all miss her twinkling eyes and giggle. Golda is survived by her devoted husband, Bruce; daughter, Beth (Will) Walling; son, Larry (Cathie) Beals; grandchildren, W Andrew (Sarah) Walling; Carrie (Jacob) Nimrod; Carlie (Joey) Hajduch; Michael (Erica) Beals; six great-grandchildren; and sister, Lois (Erwin) South. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Thomas, John H,Porter O'Connell, Alice Proudfit and Mary Mardis.
On Christmas Day 2014, Golda Beals joined God's heavenly choir with her husband of 62 years by her side. Born Golda May O'Connell on January 3, 1934, in Clear Lake, Iowa, she was the seventh child of John E and Daisy (Trotter) O'Connell. The family returned to the Drake Park area of Des Moines where Golda grew up singing and playing trombone in the marching band at Tech High School. She met the love of her life, Bruce Beals (of Earlham), at a Youth Temperance Camp and married in 1952 at Gatchel United Methodist Church. They created their own little quartet when they had two children: Beth and Larry. Golda enjoyed working as a secretary in the Iowa Senate and the Executive Council for both Governor Ray and Governor Branstad, before retiring in 1996.Golda and Bruce were regular members of the church choir at Windsor Presbyterian, and more recently Westkirk Presbyterian. Golda sang with the Sweet Adeline's, was a soloist at various events and acted in several local theater productions. She painted, played piano, volunteered for the Republican Party, Mercy Hospital and the Civic Center. Golda loved her family, and was especially fond of spending time with her grandchildren. We will all miss her twinkling eyes and giggle. Golda is survived by her devoted husband, Bruce; daughter, Beth (Will) Walling; son, Larry (Cathie) Beals; grandchildren, W Andrew (Sarah) Walling; Carrie (Jacob) Nimrod; Carlie (Joey) Hajduch; Michael (Erica) Beals; six great-grandchildren; and sister, Lois (Erwin) South. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Thomas, John H,Porter O'Connell, Alice Proudfit and Mary Mardis.
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