Johanna Pauline Beaulieu

JOHANNA PAULINE BEAULIEU


June 22, 1917 to March 8, 2011


Einan's Funeral Home


Johanna Pauline Beaulieu passed away in comfort, due to complications from a heart condition, in Richland, Washington, at the age of 93 on March 8, 2011, after completing an active and self-sufficient life in her own home until the final three months. Always looking ahead, she said "remember, our parting is only temporary."


Johanna was born to the Rev. Otto George Hattstaedt and Emma Sophia Dorothea (Brauer) in Ashland, WI. The oldest of four children, she fondly recalled her early Depression Era years. "It is so wonderful to have a little brother. And to be the oldest like I am is a real bargain. I just love it." Johanna earned a degree in English from Northland College (Ashland), where she also enjoyed singing in the touring choir. It was at Northland where she met and then married Orville Beaulieu (1915-1988) from nearby Washburn, on September 2, 1939. In the summer of 1944, they were among those recruited to move to the Richland boomtown as part of the Manhattan Project on the Hanford Reservation.


Johanna remained in and loved Richland for the next 66 years. She donated much of her free time at the Richland Public Library, and then at the library of the Richland Lutheran Church. She enjoyed golf and reading â€" especially her favorite English poet of nature, William Wordsworth and his "Intimations of Immortality." She was a member of the longest running Richland bridge club formed in the 40s and continuing beyond 2000. For many years after Orville retired they enjoyed camping and hiking together, mostly in Mount Rainier National Park. Later, Johanna's abiding joy came to be daily bird watching strolls along the Columbia River trail through Leslie Groves Park. Widely known by local bird watchers as "the bird lady," in the final year she would say "I used to come here for the birds, but now I come every day for the wonderful people, and sometimes I don't even notice the birds. There are so many good people in the world. This is what gives me hope."


Johanna was preceded in death by her two sisters (Dorothy and Louise) and by an older "sister" (Irma), who was welcomed into the family upon the deaths of her own parents. She is survived by her brother, Reverend Otto (Carol) of Grand Junction, CO; and her three sons, Thomas (Janet) of Bend, OR, John (Kathy) of Portland, OR, and Peter (Kristi, deceased) of Shoreline, WA. She was very proud and fond of her seven grandchildren (Amy and Gregory, Michael and Patrick and Matthew, Laura and Mark), and her thirteen great-grandchildren who thank her for "teaching us how to see the good in every situation."


"Oh, I've had a good and wonderful life. It's like a storybook. I am so glad I had the life I did, and I even like being old. It's so much fun. Northland College changed my life; that's where I met Orville and married the man I love." Johanna asks that any commemorative donations be sent to the Student Scholarship Fund, Northland College, 1411 Ellis Ave., Ashland, WI, 54806-3999. At her request, a memorial service for the family will be held later in the spring.


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