Beth Marie McDaniel

Beth Marie Kling McDaniel, age 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at her home in Ogden, Utah, after a courageous 22-month battle with melanoma. Beth was born on May 20, 1955, in Winfield, Kansas, as the second child of Loren and Elizabeth Kling. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Howard, Kansas; Ogden, Utah; the Howard Go-Getters 4-H Club; and the American Legion Jr. Auxiliary. She attended Howard Grade School until August 1968, when her family moved to Lenexa, Kansas. Beth graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest in 1973. After graduation, she took summer classes at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, and then, the following fall, she attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas. Beth married her high school sweetheart, Dennis "Mac" McDaniel, on October 20, 1974, in Lenexa, Kansas. They made their first home in Jacksonville, Arkansas, as Beth became an Air Force wife with dreams of seeing the world. Beth worked at David Furniture Company in North Little Rock, Arkansas, until 1978 when Mac received an assignment to Hill AFB, Utah. She then worked at Meridian Publishing, Ogden, Utah, starting in Sales Order Entry, and was promoted to Managing Editor after authoring several published articles. In June 1992, Beth worked for the Human Services Aging Department as the Office Manager of the Men's and Women's Program. She enjoyed working with people and seniors. Upon retiring in September 2021, Beth joined the Weber County Organization for the Elderly (WCOFE), serving as Secretary and Treasurer. Beth was the backbone of the organization, and filling her roles will be exceedingly difficult.
Her favorite pastime was birding; she loved her birds, spending time bird watching in her backyard, and her favorite spot to observe thousands of different kinds of birds was at sunrise and sundown at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. She loved sharing her knowledge and beautiful photographs, especially of the Snowy Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Western Grebe. Any bird at Bird River brought her joy, and she especially loved watching hummingbirds in her own yard, with feeders everywhere she could place them. Hearing the birds sing brought her peace. Over the years, Beth delighted in seeing George, a Western Screech Owl, visit their Weeping Willow tree. She even took her seniors on bus tours to share her knowledge. Beth had many passions: she loved reading, cooking-especially her pecan pie-and tending to her flowers. She enjoyed traveling across the country, visiting the coast, the Rockies, the Smoky Blue Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains, as well as exploring historical landmarks. Mac and Beth loved traveling throughout the United States, often using their timeshare to see diverse and beautiful places from coast to coast.
Beth is survived by her husband, Mac, to whom she was married for 51 years, and her two sons, Nathan and Andrew of Ogden, Utah. Her mother, Elizabeth; sister, Sandra (Mark); brothers, David (Cindy) and Delven (Jackie), brother-in-law Rob McDaniel and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, who will forever cherish their memories of her nurturing spirit and gentle soul. She was a beloved aunt who took great joy in her family's milestones and celebrations. Beth was preceded in death by her father, Loren Kling, whom she loved dearly. In 1990, Beth and Mac suffered the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Heather, during childbirth.
Beth's generous spirit, kindness, and infectious laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and appreciation for life's simple, beautiful moments. Her presence was a gift, and she will forever remain in our hearts.
A celebration of Beth's life will be held, allowing family and friends to gather and reflect on the joy she brought. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Melanoma Research Alliance in her memory.
Rest in peace, Beth. Your love and courage will continue to inspire us, and we will carry your memory always.
We thank all those who cared for her, including the members and staff at McKay-Dee Hospital, Northern Utah Rehabilitation Hospital, Mount Ogden Rehabilitation, Road to Independence and Renew Hospice.