Beatrice L. Lunn

Funeral services for Beatrice L. Lunn, age 93, of Milaca, will be held Friday, April 08, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Paul Shannon officiating. Visitation will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, April 07, 2016 and one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Friday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Milaca American Legion Auxiliary. Beatrice Leone Johnson Lunn was born on May 18, 1922 in Milo Township.   She was the youngest of 7 children of Nels and Cora (Atkinson) Johnson.   One by one, Bea’s older siblings moved away leaving the care of their parents and the farm outside Foreston in Bea’s capable hands.   Bea’s days were spent cooking, cleaning, caring for livestock, gardening and shoveling snow.   However, she still found time for writing letters, card games with neighbors and an occasional movie or wedding dance.   On May 6, 1949, carrying fragrant apple blossoms, Bea married James Leslie Lunn in an outdoor ceremony on the Hokanson farm east of Milaca.   Les built them a one-bedroom house in Foreston where their first three children were born.   In 1954 they settled on a farm west of Milaca where they raised their children and built many memories.   In 1966 another son was born to bring more joy and keep them young.   Bea and Les were partners in business and in life.   When he built a race track in the pasture, she sold tickets and concessions.   As Lunn Construction grew, she was the accountant and payroll clerk, as well as his encourager and supporter.   Bea was the ultimate caregiver taking care of Les, her parents, her children, her in-laws, her siblings and numerous friends. Bea’s huge home garden was fueled by her love of fresh vegetables. She planted, tended and harvested for her family and always had extra to share.   Each fall she put up countless quarts of canned goods, including her special tomato juice and a delightful assortment of pickles…garlic and dill were her favorites. You never left Bea’s house hungry.   She cooked wholesome delicious meals and homemade bread, pies and crusts.   I think everyone remembers her wonderful pies. Whenever she heard polka music, Bea said, “My feet just can’t stay still.” But her favorite was dancing with Les to “The Blue Skirt Waltz.” She enjoyed her days bowling in the Lunn Construction Ladies League.   Bea enjoyed helping out the ladies in the Legion Auxiliary, making many friends along the way.   However, her favorite past time was playing Hand & Foot or cribbage with family and friends and giggling when she inevitably won.   On the rare occasion when the cards didn’t go her way, we would hear her say “Piffle-dink” or “You know I can’t see!” Bea was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and siblings: Harold Johnson, Gladys (Art) Swan; Viola (Orval) Aland; Dolores (Harold) Hall; Edith Johnson; and Adla (Elwood Hokanson), (James) Kelly.   Bea is survived by her children: son James (Jim) Lunn and wife Jane Ann of Albuquerque, NM; daughter Judith (Judy) and her husband Paul Shannon of Arlington, TX; son Jay and his wife Rosemary Lunn of Cambridge, MN; son Joe and wife Denise Lunn of Foley, MN.   Five grandchildren:   Julie Lunn and husband Eric Kottke of Minneapolis, MN; Ryan Lunn and his wife Angela of Ashland, WI.   Lori Motes and her husband Casey of Houston, TX; Sara Shannon of Fort Worth, TX; Jennifer Abernathy and husband Mack of China Spring, TX.   Her 5-1/2 great-grandchildren:  Lilah and Baxter Kottke, Eli and Addie Lunn, Kayli Abernathy, and baby girl Motes.   The family would like to thank all of her friends and family for their support throughout her days.   A special thank you to the wonderful personnel at the Country Meadows Assisted Living Facility and the Elim Care and Rehab Center for their loving care.   Bea will be missed by all of her family, friends and all that came to know her.