Mickey Beehler

Minnie Eleanor Beehler passed away August 24 in Powell, Wyoming with two of her sons Cliff and James at her side. She was one month shy of her 91st birthday.

She was born September 24, 1931 to Alice Arlillian Graham and Ollie Ollin James in Alex, Grady County, Oklahoma. At the age of 4 she told her mother the name was Mickey.

Mickey had four siblings: the twins Ronald and Donald (Died shortly after birth), Patricia Tina and Robert (Stillborn).

Mickey’s parents divorced in 1935 and Alice and the 3 children moved to Burlington, Wyoming. Mickey attended school in Burlington and graduated with the class 1949. 

After High School, Mickey worked various jobs in Cody, Wyoming. She married Donald A. Alexander in 1950. The couple made their home in Cody. They had five Children: Clifford Graham Alexander, Donald James Alexander, James Oliver Alexander, George William Alexander and Patricia Alice Alexander. 

Mickey and Don divorced in 1962.

Mickey and the children returned to Burlington and lived there until she was presented the opportunity to attending Cooking School in Great Falls, Montana. January of 1969, Cliff Aagard (Mickey’s Step Father) drove Mickey and the 3 youngest to Great Falls in an old red pickup truck. I do remember how crowded it was in that truck. Upon her graduation from Cooking School Mickey was offered a job cooking at Parker’s Cafe in Greybull, Wyoming. 

Mickey accepted the job and moved to Greybull. While living in Greybull she met and married Jim Ogg. After a few years the couple divorced. Mickey continued living in Greybull and cooking at the Cafe. 

One day in 1974 a railroader from South Dakota walked into the Cafe, His name was John Beehler. John was very Smitten with her and asked her for a date. She replied “You wouldn’t want to date me, I have five children”. John Laughed and told her he I have seven. Whenever he was in town, He would wait at the Cafe until she got off work and would walk her home. On one of these occasions they both stumbled and fell into the grass laughing like teenagers. Mom always said “we just fell for each other’. They were married in April of 1975.

The newlyweds made their home in Edgemont, South Dakota. They Eventually bought a small house and with the help of family and friends they remolded the house themselves. I Can Remember helping them rip old plaster and lathe walls, when I came over for a visit. Many family gatherings were held in that house with 35 to 40 people.

Mickey loved to garden and with John’s help they always had a fabulous garden. She was also and expert canner and nothing ever went to waste. She was willing to teach anyone who wanted to learn how to can. Her pickles were the best! Every Christmas the kids got jars of canned vegetables, grape juice, tomatoes, tomato juice, pickles and relishes. They were greatly appreciated by all.

We can’t talk about Mom without mentioning her crocheting, Once she learned to read pattern, there was no stopping her. Lyle Johnson was the person who taught her how to read pattern. She was always making something: dories, Afghans, Bed spreads, pot holders, wall hangings, doll clothes, armchair covers, and seat covers. She was truly artistic when it came to crocheting. I think her baby afghans were everyone’s favorite. They were beautiful and oh so soft she tried to make one for all the grand babies.High school graduation afghans were also very popular. She continued to crochet until the arthritis in her hands made it too painful. 

Mickey and john lived in Edgemont until he retired from the railroad in 1991. They moved up into the black hills near Hill City SD. At the Millhouse, they spent their days working on the property, rocking on the porch, playing cards with their neighbors (Ray and Mary Wolcott) and attending the grandchildren’s sporting events. They lived on the mill house property until john’s health began to fail. John spent the last year his life in and out hospitals with Mickey at his side. She was completed devoted to him and tried keep his spirits up. 

After John passed away in 2014, Mickey moved to Newcastle, Wyoming. Where she was under the care of Scott and Kathy Beehler for 8 years, Until she decided she wanted to be closer to her hometown, Burlington, Wyoming. The family moved Mickey to Absaroka Assisted Living in Cody, Wyoming in October of 2021.

When Mickey began to show advanced signs of dementia, the family moved her to Powell Valley Memory Care Facility in Powell, Wyoming. Where she passed away from complications due to a stroke.

Mickey is survived by her children Cliff Alexander (Burlington, Wyoming), James Alexander (Powell, Wyoming), George Alexander (Longmont, Colorado) Patty Alexander (Longmont, Colorado), Janet Denny (Edgemont, South Dakota), Dale (Yoni) Beehler (Colorado Springs, Colorado) Jonilee (Fred) Weibert (Bridgeport, Nebraska), Jill (Bill) Kreutzer (Edgemont, SD), Jeff (LeeAnne) Beehler (Winnemucca, Nevada), Scott (Kathy) Beehler (Newcastle, Wyoming) Daughter in law Chris Beehler (McAlester, Oklahoma). She is and will always be Grandma Mickey to 32 grandchildren and 71 Great Grandchildren and one on the way, 12 Great Great Grandchildren.

Mickey was preceded in Death by her parents, all of her siblings, her sons Don Alexander and Michael Beehler, and her grandson, James Jared Alexander, son in law Alvin Denny.