Beatrice L. Johnson, age 86, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2019 at Sunnybrook Living Care Center as a result of pancreatic cancer.
Visitation will be held at Behner Funeral Home, Fairfield on Feb 21, 2019 from 5-7pm. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Fairfield, on Feb. 22 at 1pm. Burial of cremains will be at a later date at Bethesda Cemetery.
Beatrice (Bee) was born 11-13-1932 in Grand Island, NE. to Hildegarde Beatrice Anderson Hoegren and Lawrence Hoegren. They lived in Phillips, NE until her mother passed away in 1936. At that time, the family moved to Galva, Illinois. Her father, married Esther Drews in 1938 and they had two children, Edward (1938) and Karen (1945). The family lived in Ill. until 1946 when they moved back to Phillips, NE.
Bee attended Aurora HS, graduating in 1950. She then attended Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill for 2 years. During her college years, she spent many weekends visiting her Aunt, Uncle, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother in Cambridge and Galva Illinois. Her biological mother and grandmothers were all direct descendents from Sweden.
A blind date, led to her future marriage with Dean Johnson on Oct. 26, 1952 in Phillips, NE. They lived in Fairfield and were married for 60 years, before Dean’s passing in 2013. Bee was employed by Cooley Ins., Universal Producing Co. and Dean’s State Farm office as an agent. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 65 yrs, Chapter C P.E.O., Chapter E TTT, and Wm. Henry Coop Questers.
Bee was the “Hostess with the Mostest” as she loved to entertain. Countless “coffee’s” at her home, tea parties, “Fun Friday” adventures, “Wacky Wednesday” outings, family reunions, campouts, bridge clubs and social gatherings were not complete without her home baked goodies (Lemon Meringue Pie) and surprise delectable’s. She was a 4H leader, avid seamstress and read to many students at Washington Elementary. She enjoyed traveling, camping, crossword puzzles, reading, bird watching, swimming with the “mermaids”, and collecting letter openers, tea cups, Swedish treasures and “Bee” items. She was very active and competitive with her grandkids when it came to card games, swimming, corn hole and puzzles.
She is survived by her son Steven Johnson (Fairfield), daughter Sandra and special son-in-law Dave Richards (Fairfax, VA), Grandsons DW Richards (Jaimie), Eric Richards (Jessica), Granddaughters Megan Anderson (Dillon), Stacey Johnson, Katie Johnson. She also leaves behind 4 Great-Grandsons (Rhys, Nathan, Wyatt, Mason) and one Great-Granddaughter (Aspen). Bee is also survived by her half-brother and sister. She also leaves behind countless, priceless friends whom she loved.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband Dean, parents and step-mother, special Aunt and Uncle - Mildred & “Happy” Swanson, two nieces, one nephew, and Grandparents.
Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church, Bethesda Cemetery or the Community Concert Association.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Behner Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Starts at 1:00 pm (Central time)
First United Methodist Church
Visits: 26
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