Bernice Bea' Julia (Ruud) Fatout

Bernice “Bea” Julia (Ruud) Fatout

95, passed away Dec. 19, 2016 in Indianapolis with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray C. Fatout. Born in Silverton, OR on March 9, 1921 to Arne and Gertrude Ruud, she was raised in Devil’s Lake, ND and Bemidji, MN.
Bea worked as a secretary in Washington, D.C. during WWII, where she met her husband, an army engineer stationed at nearby Aberdeen, MD. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, she sought employment at L.S. Ayres, where she was directed to the Fashion Bureau. That was the beginning of a forty-year career as a fashion model. Whether it was in the Tea Room at Ayres, on the runway at the State Fair, or showing special collections in the Crystal Room by designers Bill Blass, Halston, Ben Reig, and Dior, she was in her element. Her life at Ayres was highlighted in the popular Indiana Historical Society exhibit, “That Ayres Look.”
Her favorite volunteer activities included participating in Starlight Musicals and Avondale Theater, as well as her long-term association with the Indianapolis Art Museum.
She was vivacious, glamorous, and elegant. She loved people, she loved entertaining, and she loved telling jokes but could never remember the punch lines. And she never met a dog she didn’t like.
She painted water colors, made matching Easter outfits and prize-winning Halloween costumes, and had a creative eye for decorating.
She is survived by her children Anne Fatout (Don Keniston), Ellen Haury, Mary Fatout Proctor (Bob), William R. Fatout, Elizabeth Fatout; grandchildren Jessica Barth (John), Grace Allison (Chad), Anna Proctor (Phil Golobish), Amanda Haury, and Jonas Haury (Aubrey); great grandchildren Nora, Miles and Bea Barth and Clark and Wyatt Allison.
Ever the model hostess, she directed the hospital staff to go down the hall where, “there’s a party in my room.”
The calling will be held at Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple, 1305 E. Broad Ripple Ave., from 2-4 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 27 with services to follow at 4 pm. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Indianapolis Art Center. Online condolences may be made at www.flannerbuchanan.com