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Beatrice Gagnon Obituary – 11/13/2019


Beatrice (Bea) M. Gagnon, age 91, of Waverly, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Howard Lake.

Bea was born July 2, 1928, in Maple Lake, to Joseph and Albina (Morin) Antil. She grew up on the south side of Lake Ramsey with six brothers; Victor, James, Arthur, Larry, Jerry, and Frank; and two sisters; Ursula (Sue) Perra and Theresa (Tess) Guggemos.

As a young girl, Bea loved to read, swim, ice skate, and dance.

She worked at Dirck’s Grocery Store in Maple Lake as a cashier from eighth to 12th grade, after school and Saturdays. After graduation, she worked for the Maple Lake Drug Store until she got married.

Bea was baptized and confirmed at St Timothy’s Catholic Church in Maple Lake; and graduated from Maple Lake High School in 1946.

She was united in marriage to Waverly resident Lawrence (Pete) Gagnon April 22, 1947, at St Timothy’s Catholic Church in Maple Lake by Father O’Brien. They were married 59 years before Pete’s death in 2006, and lived on the Gagnon homestead in Wright County. God blessed this union with eight children: Steve (Gunner), Kay, Colleen, JoAnn, Mike, Ann, Mary and Patty.

Bea loved flowers, gardening, canning, baking bread every Saturday, playing cards, visiting family and friends, bus trips, and shopping. She was a great cook, and loved having family and friends over for holidays.

Saturday nights she was always ready for wedding dances in Waverly or at the Blue Note in Winsted.

Bea loved when family came home and her grandchildren would visit.

She was a faithful member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly, always ready to volunteer to help for the church’s many activities including teaching religion, communion minister, lector, adorer, circle chair, Bible studies, and as a member of the social ministry committee.

Bea had worked part-time at New Beginnings as a cook.

She is survived by her sons, Steve (Judy) Gagnon, and Mike (Wanda) Gagnon; and daughters Kay Gagnon, Colleen (Jim) Kimberly, JoAnn (Rory) Ostgulen, Ann (Mark) Wackler, Mary Pettit and Patty (Jeff) Lehner; 17 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren: her sister, Tess Guggemos; and sisters-in-law Carol Gagnon (NJ), and Jean Antil (ND).

In addition to her husband, Bea was preceded in death by her parents; brothers; a sister; and a great-grandson Evan LaCroix.

Mass of Christian Burial took place Thursday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. Eunice Oyewole was the soloist.

There was visitation at the church Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m.; continuing Thursday with a rosary at 8:30 a.m., and visitation from 9 to 10:45 a.m.

Arrangements were with the Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted; www.chilsonfuneralhome.com.

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