Beatrice Braegger

Beatrice Braegger
February 7, 1936 – June 2, 2025
Gail Beatrice Hill Pierce Braegger (Bea Braegger), 89, passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Willard on June 2, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born on February 7, 1936, to Alvin Glenwood and Gail Beatrice Fitzgerald Hill at Salt Lake General Hospital, the 2nd of 5 children. Bea grew up in rural Draper, surrounded by family and friends. As a child, she was known for her playful mischief, painting chicken beaks, playing in coal dust, working the beet fields and tipping cows. She remembers moving around the country so her father could train and build tanks for World War II. During her childhood, she made friends she cherished all through her life. She held various roles in student government throughout school. Bea attended Draper Elementary and Draper Junior High, then Jordan High School, graduating in 1954.
At the age of 19, Bea married Stewart Pierce on May 9, 1955 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were married by Harold B. Lee and together they had 4 children: Wade Stewart Pierce, Jeffrey Lynn (Julie) Pierce, Lisa Gail (Brad) Bailey, and Bonnie Jean Pierce. Like their parents, the 4 children grew up surrounded by a close-knit family and many friends. The children grew up in Draper and Sparks, Nevada. Bea made most of the family's clothing and prepared all of their meals out of necessity-but it was a skill she cherished throughout her life. She loved sewing and quilting, making blankets, rugs, and baby items. Her pot roasts and cinnamon rolls were especially loved by all who had the privilege of enjoying them. Bea has always had a sharp wit and a cheeky sense of humor.
Bea pursued higher education, earning both her Bachelor's degree from Weber State College and Master's degree from the University of Utah in Social Work. She put her skills and education to work, helping many people within the Utah Department of Corrections, where she organized and taught classes to inmates and officers. Bea was always striving to improve the lives of those she interacted with. She received many awards for her time and service.
Bea had a deep love for her home and garden, which she ensured was always a welcoming space for her family and friends. She and her children dug out the basement by hand and had "swinging door syndrome" when life got busy. In her memoirs, she says "Car doors, front doors,... refrigerator doors,... someone was always coming and going." She also had a great fondness for animals, caring for many pets throughout her life, including Sabrae Roxie, Snowball, and Tomtom. Her Draper home, though small, was always cozy and inviting. Her family remembers fun parties, vacations, camping, playing games and dress-up.
Although Bea never expected to marry again, life had other plans. Shortly after moving to Willard, UT, she met Dell Braegger. She was hesitant to date again until she met his dog, a beloved black lab named Carly. Bea and Dell married on January 10, 2015 and were later sealed in the Brigham City Temple. She often referred to Dell as the love of her life and a "tall drink of water" and her "big handsome hero."
Bea was preceded in death by her husband Dell, her parents, her baby sister Diane, her granddaughter Faith, and her former spouse.
She is survived by her siblings: Alvin Glenwood, (LeRae) Hill Jr., Ester Patricia Buck, Ronald Fitzgerald (Judy) Hill, and Mary Elaine (LaMar) Cook; her 4 children; 11 grandchildren: Brian (Sadie) Pierce, Porter (Erin Fair) Williams, David (Rose) Pierce, Kimberly (Jeff) Reynolds, McKenzie Williams, Rebecca (Jen) Pierce, Annalise (Adam) Christensen, Stephen Daras, Hannah Pierce, Sarah Lorna Bailey, and Nathan (Thalia Alfaro) Pierce; 16 great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her beloved cat: Tomtom.
Bea also had a much loved Bonus Family: Kyle (Jann) Braegger, Kenneth (Peggy) Braegger, Kim (Linda) Braegger, and Kenton (Jill) Braegger; along with their 29 grandchildren: 39 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren will always cherish being called "angels," "kididdles" "mugwumps," "urchins," and the special moments of receiving butterfly kisses.
Bea's legacy is one of unconditional love, honesty, loyalty, and respect. She taught her family to speak up for themselves and others, to be charitable and willing to forgive. She believed in playing, laughing, and making good trouble. One of her favorite scripture passages was from Ecclesiastes 3: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven: a time to be born and a time to die a time to weep and a time to laugh a time to mourn and a time to dance." We take comfort in knowing she is now laughing and dancing with the loved ones who have gone before her.
Thank you to Inspiration Home Care and Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a women's shelter or your local library. And next time you eat out, eat dessert first-just as Bea taught us to do.
A Viewing will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 for family and friends from 11:00 – 12:30 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah. A private family service will follow. Interment will be at Willard City Cemetery.
Services entrusted to Myers Mortuary of Brigham City, Utah.
Condolences, memories, and pictures may be shared with the family here on her Remember Page.