Esther Ilene Milligan Beam Reed

Esther Ilene Milligan Beam Reed was born on June 27, 1927 at her family home in the Beulah Community. Daughter of Cecil and Ella (Parker) Milligan. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the Valley nursing home in Mancos, CO. Esther was 97 years old.

 Esther was a lifelong resident of Colorado. Living in Durango, Cortez, and the last three years in Mancos. 

 After Graduation from Caulkins High School in 1945. She earned an emergency teaching certificate at Fort Lewis School in Hesperus. She taught at Sylvan School for one year. 

 On June 4, 1946 she married Clarence Beam. They were married until Clarence passed in October of 1988. Ten years later she married her high school sweetheart, John Reed on December 14, 1997. He passed away in April of 2011.

 Esther enjoyed her family, gardening, dancing, music, and crafts.

 Esther is survived by her children, Kenny Beam (Loreta), Lynda Head (Gary), and Scott Beam (Cindy); her grandchildren, Jeff Parker, Kelly Stimson, Stephen Beam, Brigitta Beam, Carson Beam, and Taylor Beam; her great grandchildren, Kaitlen Parker, Madison Parker, and Fletcher Smith; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

 Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Ella Milligan; siblings, Mabel Higman, Milford Milligan, and Norma Coppinger; her husbands, Clarence Beam and John Reed; and her grand-daughter, Sarah Lynn Beam. 

 Services will be held on Monday, August 26, at 10 a.m. at Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez, Colo. followed by graveside service at Arriola Cemetery. 

A reception will follow at Cortez Seventh Day Adventist Church. 

Memorial contributions may be made to to St. Jude Children Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.