Beatrice "Bea" Shelstad

Beatrice was born to William & Irene (Schroeder) Behrens on December 6, 1932.  This family included siblings: Helmer (Joyce); Arvid (Jan); Beverly (Stanley); Ralph (Carol); Roger (Dee); Allan (Caroline); and Pat (Jim).  She married Verlyn Shelstad  (October 4, 1952) and they raised their five children: Barbara (Michael); Lori (Jon); Arlyn (Teri); Stuart (Jackie); and Penny (Butch) on the family farm south of Chokio, MN. She took great pride in her Grandchildren: Richard; Mikel & Ryan; Samantha, Brooke, Sydney & Benjamin; Rosalyn (Pat) & Randy (Leah); and Joseph & Stephanie.

After farming, Bea and Verlyn enjoyed many years together in their home in Clinton.  Family and Community were important to Bea.  She formed many lasting friendships through the Shible Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eidskog Lutheran Church, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Chokio.  She enjoyed her work in the Clinton and Graceville School Systems. Prior to that, she worked at Fingerhut.  She was a proud member of the Clinton Red Hat Society. Bea showed her creative side through the beautiful ceramics she made for family and friends. For fun, she liked to camp with the family.  Bea and Verlyn enjoyed traveling together to new places like Hawaii, Disneyworld and Arizona. She will be missed by nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bea took her wings on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.