Catherine Ara Burns Beckley, “Sis,” 82, of Boise, died Monday, July 19, 2004, at her home, of natural causes. A graveside service will take place at 9:30 a.m., Friday, July 23 at Dry Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, in Boise.

Catherine was born on October 8, 1921, on the Burns homestead in Eagle, Idaho, to Norman Edgar Burns and Eunice Hazel Ford Burns. She went to school in California and Boise, and married G.E. “Eggs” Beckley on January 27, 1950, in Eagle. During World War II she lived in Long Beach, California and returned to Eagle after her marriage. She then went on to live at the Van Duesen Ranch in Emmett, Idaho; White Horse Ranch in Oregon; Flying B Ranch on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River; 9 Quarter Circle Ranch in Montana; and the Sulphur Creek Ranch on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River until retirement in 1977.

Catherine was a welder during WWII making double bottom ships in the shipyards at Long Beach, CA.She was a beautician for many years at Arnie’s in Boise, managed various guest ranches, and was a long-time volunteer at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise.

Catherine was an expert seamstress, a horsewoman, a pilot (an early member of the Idaho 99’s), and was involved in community affairs (especially the Soroptomists). She was a member of St. Mark’s Church, an Artist, and was instrumental in organizing the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association and sports shows promoting Idaho outfitting and guest ranches.

Her survivors include her sister, Norma Burns Prindle, of Jackpot, Nevada; her nephew, Norman Edgar Williams, of Boise; and a great-niece, Mary Catherine Williams, of Rogerson, Idaho.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

The family wishes to thank Patty Hornback Vance for all the special care and friendship she offered Catherine through the years. Memorials are suggested to go to the Idaho Humane Society Rescue Ranch, 4775 Dorman, Boise, Idaho, 83705.