"Bea, was a one of a kind lady. I would enjoy my visits with her. We would talk about crocheting baby blankets and who was expecting in her family. If I had a bounty of something from the garden I would drop off to her. She will be missed, but she is happy now, as she is with Duke. Good bye, my friend. Beth & Mike Mauer"
In loving memory of
Beulah "Bea" Wait
February 17, 1925 - August 2, 2020
Beulah "Bea" Wait, 95, of Elba died Sunday, August 2, 2020 at Mayo Clinic Hospitals - St. Mary's Campus Rochester. Bea was born to Frank and Laura (Armitage) Papenfuss on February 17, 1925 in Twins Bluffs, where she was raised. Bea and Doyle "Duke" Wait met in La Crosse while she worked as a waitress, he at Heilman brewing. He was one of her restaurant customers. They were married October 25, 1946 in Watertown, SD. The couple made their home in Elba, where they raised their ten children. Bea was known for making popcorn balls for Halloween treats. She enjoyed quilting, canning fruits and vegetables and making her mouth-watering fudge at Christmas time. Bea had belonged to the Elba Homemakers and played cards at St. Charles Senior Citizen Center.
Survivors include her children, Duane (Anna Kulas) of Rollingstone; Doyle of Winona; James (Zenia) of Colorado Springs, CO; Milton of St. Charles; Joan (Roger) Peterson of Stewartville; Myron (LaDonna Krull) of Dodge Center; Susan (Dennis) Plein of Goodview and Gary of Elba, 26 grandchildren, 107 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Duke, two sons, Steve and Morris and five siblings, Iva, Caroline, Mary Ann, Dorothy and Ross, and two daughters-in-law, Bonnie and Stephanie.
Services to remember Bea will be 1 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2020 at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in St. Charles, with funeral celebrant Dianne Rislow presiding. Burial will take place at a later date in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. A gathering of friends and family will follow services at the St. Charles City Park. In accordance with current restrictions, social distancing and facemasks are required.
Services will be broadcast via Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/HoffFuneralHome/. Please share a memory of Bea and view her video tribute, when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com
Tributes
"Thoughts and Prayers from Steven Wait, Jr, Regina and Justin. "
"What a wonderful person and friend--thee place to go when growing up-sleep overs and just good times.. Besr fudge, brownies and the great popcorn balls we would steel for. Never said a bad thing about anyone--may you rest in peace Bea Pat and Terry Haack"
"Bea was my scout leader and other mother for me. She always got my first radishes of the year. She will be greatly missed. What a wonderful person. Steve Ball"
"Extending my sympathies to the Wait family. It is always difficult to lose a parent. May she rest comfortably in the arms of our Savior. Patty (Anderson) Buckbee"
"Joan and family, So sorry for the loss of your mother. Mothers always hold a special place in our hearts!"
"Condolences for the family.. I\'m an old friend of Joan and Rogers.. Mary {Halbakken} Bronk May god be with you . "
"Sorry to hear of the lost of Bea she was definitely a true ?Elba at heart woman? I remember as a kid she was our seamstress if you needed anything done she knew how to do it and very well. You were lucky if you were the one to go drop off or pick something up because her kitchen was always full of goodies and you always got something. Sad to say I don?t recall her popcorn balls I sure wish I did. A special thank you to Gary and whoever else helped her through the many floods so she could stay where her heart was in her home can?t imagine how much work that must of been. Couldn?t believe how sharp her memory was I made it a point when I came home to stop in and visit and she remembered everything. May her memories live in your hearts forever. What a beautiful picture of her as well and a very beautiful person too can?t believe 10 kids & all the grandkids as well."
"The best popcorn balls ever "