Berenice D. Bleedorn

Dear Joan, Bonnie, family and friends of Bee,

I send my condolences upon hearing the news of your mother's passing. I was her student in the G/C/T graduate program at St. Thomas in the 1980's. Bee indeed "changed the way folks think" and I am deeply grateful for her teachings and presence. She opened a new world of ideas, thought, methodology, and leadership that not only affected my work in a classroom but also the way I live. Her energy for life-long learning was remarkable and she always took us beyond the classroom with invitations to special events and "couriers" of creativity.

I now live on Birch Lake permanently. When Bee was at her cabin, she would sometimes stop by for a short visit. One summer she lent me her GENESA dome for a class project I was working on. We set it up under a large white pine tree. I always treasured being in her presence. She was the best guide-on-the-side, and a most generous teacher. I am so grateful she was a part of my education.

May your aching hearts be full,dear ones,
Penny Swanum

Hello Joan and Bonnie,

I read with interest today the story on your Mother (and Father) in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. You had pretty amazing parents! I remember your Dad very well. I attended Lincoln Hills Elementary school (I am now 66) and he was our Principal and a fine one. I obviously didn't get to know him well, but I had a lot of respect for him being a child attending the school. I grew up on 75th and Morgan in Richfield and spent so much of my time at Lincoln Hills--all my years of elementary and also almost every day skating at the rink behind the school during the winter. In the summer, I participated in the playground activities with my friends and siblings. So, Lincoln Hills has a lot of special, wonderful childhood memories for me. Your Dad is one of them. How neat to read this story about your Mom. She sounded pretty amazing.

May God be with you and comfort and bless you. It is nice to keep the memories of our loved ones alive and know others enjoyed them and appreciated them, as well. You must be so proud of your parents. Thanks for the article!

My dear Bonnie,
I am so sorry for your loss. No matter our age, it is difficult to lose our mothers.

Joan and Bonnie, It was my joy to share with you and your mother an awesome time of recognition for her last September at Waconia HS. Your mom's invitation at a Meeting of the Minds to attend a Creative Problem Solving Institute in San Diego, where she was planning to present, totally changed my life. Familiar story! Creativity will always hold its rightful and prioritized place in my life thanks to her. When she liked something I did creatively, it meant a lot. I'm glad I told her often that I will always be grateful. I regret that I was unable to participate in all the honoring moments this week. May her memory Bee blessed! (She would appreciate my pun.)

Bonnie, Joanie..so sorry to hear about Bee's passing. Will always remember her attendance at the choir concerts, and joining us at the Lex afterwards! she will be missed!

To Bee's Family and Friends: In my limited experience with Bee over the years, I found her to be an irresistible force for create change in our lives (personally and professionally), and the living embodiment of the search for knowledge at any stage in life. It was an honor to know her, and her influence will surely live on and on.

Joan, Bonnie-On behalf of the Kelley Family that lived next door and bought the house from your parents in 1955 on Colfax ave in Richfield, our sincere sympathy. Being the youngest, I spent a lot of time with your Dad and Mom and your dog! They were great neighbors and friends of Mom and Dad. Mom is still with us at age 92. Feel free to email me. So long ago, but it seems like yesterday. I wish I could go back and spend a day with your Mom and Dad!

Joanie,
Sorry to hear about your mother. She was quite a lady. I planned to attend tomorrow but I am ill. I worked with you in Physics and recognized your mother's name. It is very difficult to lose a mother as your mother had so much life. Memories are a wonderful support. My best to you and Bonnie

Thinking of you, Joan and Bonnie, as we remember the wonderful life of your mother. She was a good friend and inspiration to my mother, Flossie Mitchell Gertner who died in 2007. I appreciate reading the tributes to your mother.
Marcia Gertner Johnson

Dear Bonnie and Joanie, My sister e-mailed me to let me know your mother passed away. I have such fond memories of her and all the good times we shared together. I remember your mom and my mom exchanging sewing patterns and all the board games we played on your grandmas porch. I'm so sorry for your loss. Getting her PhD at age 74 is very impressive. WOW!! I know all your wonderful memories will bring you a lot of comfort and peace. Char Sienko (Charleen Wessbecker)
Billings, Montana

I had the privilege of working with Bee when I was on the faculty at St. Thomas. Bee was an inspiration and an incredible role model. She opened my mind to the study of creativity and made me a much better teacher. But what I most remember about Bee is what an effective battler she was. Bee overcame many cynics to legitimize the study and discipline of creativity, and we are all much the better for it.

Joan and Bonnie....So sorry to read of your mothers passing....what a lady. Remembering good times with you two at your grandmothers house in Waconia. Also visiting at your home in Richfield. Your mother was a gracious lady; kind, fun, interesting, and loving. Lots of memories. My prayers are with you and your family. Kathleen (Wessbecker) Anderson Excelsior, Mn.

The STS family extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Berenice "Bee" Bleedorn. She was an exceptional educational advocate and will be dearly missed. Sincerely, Scholastic Testing Service, Inc.

Joan and Bonnie--I was very sorry to see that your mom had passed. I know Bernard thought very highly of her. I hope your happy memories will help you through your loss as my memories of Bernard are helping me.

Bee Bleedorn provided a mind-opening experience as a teacher of creative thinking at Metro State, where I was among her students in the early 1970s. I'm glad she had a long and apparently beautiful life. It gave her more time to enrich the lives of all with whom she came in contact. My sympathy to all who will miss her, especially her family. Bernice Vetsch, St Paul

Bee was my teacher, role model, mentor, hero and friend. Her keen intelligence and deep humanity were gifts to the countless people with whom she came into contact. Her passion for understanding and teaching creativity, as well as her devotion to Dr. Paul Torrance, were exceptional and treasured. Bee's influence will continue through her many, many devoted students and fans. I love you, Bee. Phyllis Stenerson

Bee was so much to me: her knowledge and wonderful way of imparting it, her passion for this World and the possibilities for human beings, and her openess to all to came to be with and learn from her.Bee made the annual CPSIs special. I am sad that she is no longer with us. My love to all the family. Louise Loomis (Hartford,CT)

in the wrods of Ellen Brenneman"
Don’t think of her as gone away
Her journey’s just begun
Life holds so many facets
This earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness can pass away.

And think of her as living in the hearts she touched
For nothing loved is ever lost
And she was loved so much.
My condolences to Joan and Bonnie. Patience Dirkx

My sincerest condolences to Bee's family. Bee was indeed an incredible person - passionate, fiery, graceful and beautiful. Working with her for 2 short years was a mere blip on the radar that was her life, but her impact on me personally was eternal.

My sincere sympathy to the family. On my book shelf lie her books...in my heart and mind her wisdom will remain forever. As a student of hers, I found her to be the most engaging professor I ever had.

Jean Bury

A great one has departed!