With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Rachael Beckstrom. Our loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend. Rachael Dawn Parkes Beckstrom was released from her mortal ministry on June 12, 2022. She was born on April 24, 1977 in Salt Lake City, UT, daughter of Mary Lee Pierce and Melvin Thomas Parkes. She passed away after a long, hard battle with a rare cancer. She fought for as long as she could – she’s no quitter! Along the way she never complained about her circumstances but instead chose to focus on all the many blessings she was given and had gratitude in all things.
She grew up as an Air Force brat all over the world. She married her sweetheart/honey Steven Wayne Beckstrom on August 26, 1998 in Layton, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the St. George, Utah temple on October 13, 2013 where they were sealed together with their 3 children. She considered her kids her greatest achievement in life. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Weber State University in 1998, then went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho Law School in 2002. She has worked as a prosecutor for Washington County Attorney’s Office since 2005 and loved her job which she continued to do until the day she died. Rachael has served in many auxiliaries and callings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including Stake Relief Society 2nd Counselor where she served with many dear friends.
She is survived by her “honey”/sweetheart Steven, her children, Stockton, Jackson and Madison. Her parents Melvin and Mary Lee Parkes, her siblings, sister Catrin (Mark) Wiley, sister Duana (Jody Romans) Moreno, brother Dirk Parkes, sister Jenny (Tyson Crockett) Parkes, brother John Parkes, sister Stephanie (Thomas) Tejeda, her In-Laws, Joyce and Kenny Parcell, Stan Beckstrom, Bryan (Robin) Beckstrom, Emily (Mike) Brown, Lida Hammond (Beckstrom) and step-brother in-law Cory (Jessica) Rich as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her Grandma Mary and Grandpa Arthur Pierce, Grandpa Ira Parkes, Grandma Pat and Grandpa Stanley J. Beckstrom, cousins Heather Young, Cassia Vandersteen, and Tres Curtis. Friends Kitty Bowles and Ray Groves also preceded her in death. And she loved every one of them.
She loved watching rainstorms, rainbows, chocolates, dance parties with her kids in the kitchen singing “Help me Rhonda”, watching TV and hiking with Steven all while eating chocolate! Her laughter, contagious smile and no-nonsense attitude will be missed. Like a good rainstorm she will always be there.
The family would like to acknowledge a special thank you to all the doctors, nurses and medical personnel at the Intermountain Cancer Center of St. George for their kindness and care given over the last couple of years helping Rachael through her battle. A special shout out to Shauna Weiland and Dixie Hospice whose selfless and tender care helped carry her through to the end.
Today would have been Rachael and I’s 26th Wedding Anniversary. I remember fondly the day we got married at the wedding hall in Layton. A few hours before our wedding ceremony, there was a significant rain storm that hit the area. While it was cloudy outside when I arrived at the wedding center, I vividly remember that just as Rachael began to talk down the stairs/isle for the ceremony the sun came out and made for a magnificent view. I also remember our tradition of going to Red Lobster to celebrate the occasion. Lobster and crab! We went there pretty much every year on or around our anniversary until Rachael got sick. I miss her so much every day! Thank goodness for the plan of salvation where I know that I will see her again!
Since the day I was born, Rachael has been there either making memories with eachother or hearing all about eachothers adventures. We survived our childhood together and supported eachother as sisters, women and mothers. She was like the sunshine lighting my way and helping me grow! You could not have put two more different people together but maybe that's what made it so special.
We loved eachother unconditionally and absolute!!!!
That doesn't mean we didn't fight or try to boss eachother around (mostly Rachael did the bossing lol) but I know without question we left a mark in eachothers souls and we will carry a piece of eachother for eternity.
One of my favorite memories was that every Christmas Eve til we were 18 we stayed up talking late into the night. We shared all our worries hopes and dreams and excitement for the holiday, it was truly magical time.
And then somehow she was still able to wake up at Dawn ( a very appropriate middle name for her!) She would wake everyone up and force us out of bed and somehow she got away with it! Lol she was a charmer!!!! I'm still in shock over the many times she just charmed her way thru things noone else could have.
I still hear her voice telling me what I should and shouldn't do, and all I can say is thank goodness.
I will miss her every minute until we hug eachother again.
Rachael is never far from my thoughts… Not a day goes by that I don’t feel her on my shoulder whispering words of encouragement, or laughing with me, or giving me stern and direct (but loving) redirection- her smile was so warm and genuine, her laugh was contagious and if you ever got the raised eyebrow with disapproving smirk you knew you were in trouble!! I think of so many favorite memories such as when our boys got stuck after climbing a tall canyon and they would not climb down, Her and I stood side by side yelling every threat we could think of and nothing was going to work - then Rachael just yelled up there “You two GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW! And for the first time Stockton actually gave it a half second thought! But alas even that didn’t work and eventually we had to send dad up to get them, but once they were safely back at our side we laughed and laughed at our crazy threats and rescue planning efforts! Or how she was probably one of the only ones who could get me up at 6am on a vacation to run to Disney lines so we could be one of the first in Disney Land when they drop the ropes! She took us to all the best eats (love those beignets and mint Julips) got us on all the rides with minimal waits, and the joy was just palpable as we ran miles and miles around those parks laughing the whole time! My greatest comfort is knowing that one day she will wrap her arm in mine and we will just pick up where this life ended, catching up on events, sharing our joys, our sorrows and loves all with a box of chocolates under our arms! Love you Sis!!!
Every time I make rice krispy treats I think of her. That was one of the treats we’d make every time I was down at Steven and Rachael’s house! We’d put the treats in a bowl and sit on the couch and eat it till it was gone! It was the best! Another fun memory was right before I left for my mission, I went down to St. George to hang out for a week and Rachael and I went and saw “I feel pretty” in theaters. It was such a cute movie and I feel like it was such a fitting movie to associate with her. It’s funny and it has its serious moments, but the main message is to love yourself no matter what. I always felt so loved and accepted by Rachael no matter what. I miss her so much and think of her often! I can’t wait for the day I get to introduce my husband to her!
I loved how every summer when we would come to pick up the kids from Rachael watching them for a week she would do a dance party. It was so much fun and I loved seeing Steven come out of his shell. I loved visiting Steven and Rachael. She always made us feel so important. I miss her all the time. 💕
Also, even though she was going through cancer treatments and probably felt awful she came up to Ogden to go through the temple with Anya for her first time. I know she was nervous to go out and worried about getting sick but said she wanted to be there to support both my girls. They have the best Aunt in Rachael.
I have over 25 years of memories with my daughter-in-law Rachael stored in my heart. One of the funniest was on one of our trips, we decided to drive the back roads from St. George to see part of the Grand Canyon in the summer of 2006. We packed a subway lunch and head out on a beautiful day. When we got up to a look out point, Steven and Kenny decided to go hike. Rachael and I stayed by the car. Pretty soon we realized that Steven had the car keys with him and the water was in the locked car. They did have a very clean out house to use. There wasn't any water to wash your hands, but they did have wood chips. I told Rachael it was for us to clean our hands, so we both rubbed our hands on the wood chips. After a while Rachael read the sign above the wood chips and it stated it was to dump down the outhouse hole, to keep the smell down, not to clean our hands. Rachael was not real happy with my assumption for the wood chips. When Steven and Kenny got back they just rolled their eyes at us.
It was time to head back down the road to go home and a heavy summer thunder storm rolled in. That brand new Tahoe was sliding off the road. Kenny felt he could get us out, but we all had to get our of the car and walk, on the red muddy, clay road. By time we were on stable ground we were all covered in the red, muddy clay. Not only did we get the clay in the car but it was so packed underneath the Tahoe and the mud stayed there till they sold the Tahoe.
This story was shared again with Rachael and I the day before she passed. She remembered every bit of the story. We both laughed and cried.
Nothing was more important to Rachael than her family. I am so grateful that I can share these stories with her children along with many others.
Love ya Rachael
How has it already been 2 years since you passed?!! I miss you everyday. I remember you in everything I do. No matter how big or small the occasion, my mind is filled with the wonderful memories we made over the 25 years we were together (nearly 24 married). I know that you are an angel here on Earth watching over our children and I. I have felt you many times. I am grateful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation that means that our separation is only temporary and we will be reunited again some day as an eternal family
