Born January 16, 1962 in Drayton, ND to William Dale (Corky) Beaton and Marilyn Ann (Fingarson) Beaton. Passed away in Fargo, ND on June 13, 2024.
Mike grew up in the Hamilton/Glasston, ND area being a typical farm kid doing farm kid things like taking the horses to the Hamilton Fair, driving the vehicles at a way too young age, and blowing things up!
Mike graduated from Cavalier HS in 1980 where he had a great group of friends who love to recall some of the hijinks they found themselves in – usually surrounding something Mike got them in to. The stories are hilarious and number in the thousands. If TikTok was a thing during that time he would have gone viral and had a YouTube channel for sure.
Mike married Kathleen Rosevold on November 15,1986 in Neche, ND. To this union was born Ian Michael on November 14th, 1988, and Emily Ann on May 18, 1992.
Mike’s interests and professions were many. After college he returned home to help on the farm. He and his brother Bill started a custom spray business together, BMS Spraying. He worked at the Midway Elevator, ran the Hamilton Café, owned a steam cleaning business called MagiClean, did construction in Arizona, and after moving to Fargo he did painting, tiling, roofing, was a spotlight operator for concerts and festivals and was an overall handyman.
He enjoyed (and was actually very good at) local karaoke nights, reading – he read every Western novel ever written, reminiscing about old times, “dad jokes” and going head-to-head with puns. He had a fun, goofy personality and a quick, nervous smile.
Mike loved theater arts and was a talented musician. At the time of his death, he was writing an intro to piano book to help his sister Nancy learn to play the piano. He attended NDSSS in Wahpeton, ND after high school and was the lead in the musical Oklahoma.
Life throws everyone curveballs – Mike wasn’t usually able to catch his. Demons such as alcohol and social anxiety led to his inability to foster relationships that he wished he had with the people he loved the most. His message to others would be to encourage everyone to take care of your emotional and physical self so you’re able to have a fulfilling life. Mike suffered with poor heart health for years and most recently with kidney failure. He called Fargo, ND home for the last many years and was happy to be near sister Nancy and mom Marilyn, who always made sure he was well taken care of and safe in his surroundings.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, infant brother Patrick, uncle Orvin Fingarson, father Corky, and most recently by his mother Marilyn who he dearly missed.
He is survived by his son Ian (Chelsey) Beaton of Hope, ND, daughter Emily (Travis) Pearce of Grand Forks, ND, grandsons Sutton, Sawyer and Solen Beaton of Hope. Also survived by his brother Bill (Dyana) Beaton, sister Nancy (Dave) Kelly, nieces Angela Beaton (Adison Jaeger) and Bailey Kelly and nephews Billy Beaton and Devon Kelly.
Mike was very thankful for the staff and his friends at Cooper House in Fargo, where he had lived for the last ten years.
At this moment, there are no services planned, but stay tuned… just like Mike, something unexpected may pop up…