Marcia Jean Beland

Marcia Jean (Wood) Beland, 77, was called home by the Lord on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 20, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Hillside Christian Church in Nowata with Pastor Van Longbons officiating. Marcia Jean (Wood) Beland was born April 16, 1945 in Winfield, KS, to Jim Wood and Jean McCarty Wood. She grew up on the farm with her parents, two brothers and a sister, where she learned a hard day’s work at a young age. Marcia married Don Valentine and had two children, Angie and Shane. She remarried later in life to Leon Beland who had three children. As a young girl, Marcia was her daddy’s shadow: where he went, she went, what he did, she did. It wasn’t until age 16 that she wanted to learn to ride a horse. Her dad told her she could barrel race on “Pistol”, who turned out to be outstanding, and Marcia never looked back. She was also competitive when it came to ribbon running, and was known to be one of, if not the fastest. Marcia was a member of several rodeo associations throughout her life, winning numerous awards, buckles, and finished her career with a saddle. The friendships and memories she made along the way were far greater than any award she could have won. Apart from rodeo, Marcia enjoyed music and dancing. She won the monthly Hi-Fi Hop which was a dance competition that was broadcasted on live television every Saturday night in Wichita, KS. She was also talented when it came to painting, leather projects, and woodworking. Many will remember Marcia for the quality of her work and the thoughtfulness that went into it. Throughout the years, Marcia cherished her time spent with friends and family. She had a group of best friends that she traveled with, and would go on weekly adventures. Family get togethers were known to bring out her competitive nature as she took card playing very seriously. In 2021, Marcia moved from Nowata, right next door to her grandson in Oologah. It was there on the ranch where she was able to spend nearly every day beside family and spend quality time with her great-granddaughters, Josie and Kate. This brought her great joy. If she wasn’t out writing cattle weights or mowing her lawn, Marcia could be seen driving across the yard in the Jeep with the girls in tow. Marcia was a long-time member of the Hillside Christian Church in Nowata, OK. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children: Angie (Rick) Harmon of Talala, OK., and Shane Valentine of Kansas.; Step-children: Blaine Beland, Brittney Schmidt, and Brooke Smith of Arkansas.; Grandchildren: Todd (Samantha) Harmon of Oologah, OK., Andy (Nikki) Harmon of Springfield, MO., and Taylor Valentine of Kansas.; Six great-grandchildren.; Two brothers: Jerry (Jeannette) Wood of Pomona, KS., Johnny Wood of Wynnewood, OK., One sister: Deanna Wood of Jay, OK.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Leon Beland; and parents Jim and Jean Wood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Millenium Hospice.

Marcia Jean Beland

April 16, 1945 - January 14, 2023