Carol Jean Bean

May 23, 1939 – April 8, 2022

Obituary

Carol Jean Bean (Petersen) 5-23-1939 to 4-8-2022

Carol Jean Bean was called home in the early hours of Friday, April 8, 2022, in Citrus Heights, California, not far from her long time home in Sacramento, just over a month before her 83rd birthday.

Carol was the second daughter of Lester Raymond and Margit Linnea Petersen. She was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada on May 23, 1939.

The Lester and Margit Petersen family along with older sister, Yvonne and Carol moved to Glendale, California, in 1941, where Lester was employed in the War Industry. In 1944, the third and final Petersen child, Raymond Peterson was born. A few years later as the war came to a close, the family moved to Delena, Oregon. In 1960, The Petersen family built their family house and settled in neighboring Rainier, Oregon.

In 1958, Carol married Andrew (Andy) Bailey Bean, her high school sweetheart. Andy had enlisted in the US Navy and his tour of duty was in the Mediterranean aboard an aircraft carrier. Andy transferred to the US Air Force and was stationed at McClellan AFB. The couple relocated to Sacramento, California, where Andy and Carol had two sons born on May 7, 1959 and 1960, one year apart to the day. Andy and Carol often had fun making light of how they “planned” things to create the same birthdate timing.

Carol had a successful career with the USDA, beginning as a Secretary and promoting through the ranks to become an Investigator. She ultimately was the USDA Investigator in charge of Food Stamp Fraud investigations for the Western US, including Hawaii and Guam for many years before ultimately retiring.

After retirement and the passing of her parents, Carol moved from Sacramento and took up residence in her Parent’s family home in Rainier, Oregon. She enjoyed traveling. She made many trips to visit her family in Canada. She enjoyed Cruising on Cruise Ships and went on several cruises with Andy and her parents before their passings. Later she went on cruises with her sons. In 2003, she began wintering in Salome, Arizona. She enjoyed riding quads and playing a weekly Bunco game. She loved most games. Her favorites included, the dice game Farkle, Franks, Pinocle and Bunco. She was a regular player, beginning in her youth, playing with her parents and other relatives. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

Carol is survived by her siblings as well as her loving sons, Mark Andrew Bean and Lester "Scott" Bean and her grandchildren, Joran Bean, Beau Bean, Amber Bean, Sabrina Forge, and Leslie Garnica. Carol was blessed with eight great grandchildren, Joran's children, Jaden, Mason and Brooklyn. Amber's daughter, Madyson, Beau’s children Olivia and James. Sabrina's sons, Axel and Wyatt. Leslie has the ninth grandchild estimated to arrive in September 2022!

Plans for a Celebration of Life for her friends and family to pay tribute to this wonderful woman will be held at Reichert’s Funeral Home, 7320 Auburn Blvd. Citrus Heights, California on May 26, 2022, at 11am.

The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.

But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.

And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real,

and always try to understand the way other people feel.

Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,

and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,

remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,

would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?