Ella Rae Critchfield Beus was born January 23, 1932, in Oakley, Idaho, to Thomas Lyle Critchfield and Virginia Alexander. She graduated from Oakley High School in 1950. She played the clarinet in the marching band. She married David L. Lee in 1950 after graduation and had seven children: Richard, Debbie, Pam, John and the three little kids, Rochelle, Gary and Marsha. She married Richard N. Beus in 1971 and gained four more children to the family, Richard, Rod, Wade and Kara.

Mom worked for Safeway, Winco, and Albertsons checking groceries for countless people through the valley for over 45 years that remember her still today. Mom loved her yard and she and Dad always had a garden. They always had multiple schnauzers all named Tizzy or Tasha. Mom and Dad have 40 grandchildren and 75 great grandchildren who they cherished and loved to the very end.