Eleanor Marie Beaux
Eleanor Marie Beaux (aka L’Marie Beaux) passed away peacefully and comfortably surrounded by family in the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Lane and Julie Nichols, in Fairbanks, Alaska, at the age of 76 on Nov. 21, 2018.
She was born Eleanor Marie Wagner (L’Marie Wagner) in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Oct. 8, 1942, to Edward John Wagner and Eleanor Karen Josephine Stolen. At the tender age of 8 years old, she and her four brothers witnessed the passing of her father. Her mother would later marry William (Bill) Stroecker who was her stepfather for the remainder of his life. Growing up in Fairbanks, L’Marie was active in a number of organization and clubs including Girl Scouts, Toastmasters, Junior Icehearts, and Rainbow Girls.
In 1961, L’Marie and her first husband, Joe Nichols, welcomed their first child. They would eventually have six children together in addition to adopting five more. L’Marie touched the lives of a great many children in both the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas running daycare services. Her great love of children was a reflection of the fact that she was a child at heart as evidenced by her sense of humor, her sweet spirit, the way she interacted with others, and her love of practical jokes. She enjoyed sharing with others her love of ice cream, root beer floats, and skiing.
While married to Joe, L’Marie worked as a legal secretary, assisted in running various family businesses, and participated in competitive snowmobile racing. Shortly after the birth of their last child, Joe was taken from L’Marie and her children in 1977 by a senseless act of violence. Having been widowed, L’Marie obtained a job as a paralegal for the state of Alaska.
L’Marie was reintroduced by her brothers to her high school sweetheart, Wiley Beaux, who she had known since she was in second grade. They would marry, combining their families and having one child together. After marrying, L’Marie and Wiley moved to Anchorage where they lived for 16 years where she participated in various business enterprises. In 1994, L’Marie and Wiley moved to a ranch in North Idaho. For the last several years of her life, L’Marie and Wiley would spend summers on their ranch in Idaho and winters in the warmth of Peoria, Arizona, with frequent trips back to their real home in Alaska.
L’Marie was an active endowed member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave service in many capacities, including Relief Society President.
L’Marie is preceded in death by her father, Edward John Wagner; her mother, Eleanor Karen Josephine Stolen; her stepfather, William (Bill) Stroecker; her oldest brother, Edward John Wagner; her first husband, Joe Nichols; and her daughter, Irene Nichols.
L’Marie is survived by her husband, Wiley Beaux; her brothers, Rick Wagner, Randy Wagner, and Lanny Wagner; her children, Altona (Noni) Rathbun, Lawrence (Gus) Nichols, Elaine Forbes, Pricilla Montanelli, Lance Nichols, Nicolette Fenton, Lori Stepaniak, Chris Beaux, Lisa Merritt, Lynette Leasure, Lane Nichols, Lester Nichols, and Miles Beaux; at least 51 grandchildren and counting; and at least 38 great-grandchildren and counting.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home, 415 Illinois St., Fairbanks, Alaska, 99701; 907-456-5566.