Beatrice Almira Beam

Beatrice Almira Beam, age 86, of Benson, died Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Glenwood Retirement Village in Glenwood, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 19, 2024, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to Pope County Hospice in Glenwood, Minnesota.

Beatrice Almira Beam was born August 19, 1937, the daughter of Adolph Emil Lundebrek and Clara Gunilla Gulbrandson, in Benson, Minnesota. She was baptized June 11, 1938, at Lake Hazel Lutheran Church by Rev. Herman E. Jorgensen. She was also confirmed at Lake Hazel Lutheran Church on June 22, 1952, by Rev. Gustav Gunsten.

Beatrice grew up on the Lundebrek farm north of Benson, Minnesota, with her parents, uncles, and 17 siblings. She was the seventh of 17 children. She attended District 65 Country School and graduated from Benson High School in 1956 and went to work for Beam Chemical Service in Benson. During high school Beatrice went with friends to the Lakeside Ballroom on weekends for fun. She was a great dancer. After high school graduation she moved to Minneapolis with her sister Lila, cousin Margaret Norby, and others. She had an office job and loved to dance at the Marigold Ballroom.

January 24, 1959, Beatrice married Eugene Clifford Beam at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Their marriage was officiated by Rev. Karl H. Brevik. Beatrice and Eugene shared 51 years together and raised 7 children: Mary, Ruth, Judy, Ronda, Boyd, Leon, and Troy.

After she married, Beatrice moved the household and family several times. She made life-long friends and joined the Women’s Bowling League in each town. These included Windom, Breckenridge, and Twin Valley. In Gully, Mary and Ruth began first grade. In Hanska, Judy started first grade. In Starbuck, Ronda, Boyd, and Leon began school and Beatrice went to work in the office of Beam Chemical Service in Benson.. In 1974, she moved back to her hometown, Benson, with Eugene and her children where Troy started school. She then became a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.

Beatrice attended her children’s school and church programs and games. She loved Sunday potluck dinners at the Lundebrek farm and the occasional barn dance, especially when brother-in-law Jackie would play. She hosted holidays and decorated beautifully for each. Her hobbies included collecting cardinals and feeding the birds. Beatrice also enjoyed dancing, bowling, playing cards, crocheting, watching “Wheel of Fortune” and “Family Feud,” gathering for the holidays, and summer camp at Grandma and Grandpa’s. She crocheted afghans in the favorite color of each family member. She also gifted crocheted kitchen towels and dish cloths to friends and family. Above all, Beatrice loved conversations and laughter with friends and family.

Beatrice is survived by her children: Mary Beam, Ruth (special friend John) Beam, Judy (Chris) Roningen, Ronda (Mike) Monnier, Boyd (special friend Pam) Beam, Leon Beam, and Troy (special friend Lola) Beam; nine grandchildren: Sarah, Elisabeth, Stacy (Chad), Jonathan, Nicholas, Benjamin, Dereck (Jane), Melissa, and Sean (Shauna); seven great-grandchildren: McKayla, Allie, Leah, Violet, Clara, Theodore, Elmira, Noah, and Sora; siblings: Lila Healy, Lillian (Jon)) Hvzeda, Oliver Lundebrek, Kenneth (LaVonne) Lundebrek, Floyd (Carmen) Lundebrek, Earl (Vivian) Lundebrek, Arlene Quam, Carol Simonson, LeRoy (Mary Jo) Lundebrek; sister-in-law Brenda Lundebrek; and brother-in-law Lee Hedum. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives whom she loved.

Beatrice was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Beam, son Baby Boy Beam, parents Adolf and Clara Lundebrek; special uncles: Carl Lundebrek and  Carl Gulbrandson; sisters: Carol Ann Lundebrek, Adeline Johnsrud, Clarine Geno, Orla Espelien, and Glenna Hedum; brothers: Alden Lundebrek and Luvern Lunderbrek; brothers-in-law: Jackie Johnsrud, Paul Geno, Donald Espelien, Don Trembley, Dale Beam, Roger Beam, Sigvold Quam, Vance Simonson, and Bill Healy; sisters-in-law: Kay Lundebrek, Doris Trembley, and Wilma Beam.

Memorials: Glacial Ridge Homecare and Hospice

Attn: Tina Blair

10 Fourth Ave SE

Glenwood, MN 56334