Beatrice Clare Minnear

Beatrice “Bea” Minnear, age 81, passed away on March 22, 2025, in Seaside, Oregon, with her two loving sons by her side.

Bea was born in Seattle, Washington, on April 10, 1943, to Joseph and Henriette Kuenstle. She adored her parents and spoke fondly of her childhood. She especially cherished summer vacations at a family cabin on the Olympic Peninsula, spending time fishing, exploring, and riding horses.

After graduating high school, Bea began her career at the Seattle FBI office. She proudly worked there for 10 years before stepping away to focus on raising her sons, Kris and Bryan. In 1985, Bea and her family settled in Boring, Oregon. She raised her sons with love and dedication while staying active in the community. A lifelong volunteer, she supported local schools, participated in the Grange, and consistently showed up to lend a hand. Later, she joined the Clackamas County Sheriff's Department as a devoted employee and took great pride in supporting law enforcement.

Bea relocated to Mossyrock, Washington, in 2017 and quickly became involved in civic life—volunteering with the Morton Police Department and serving on the Mossyrock City Council as an elected official. She had a passion for travel and a spirit of adventure. One of her most memorable journeys was sailing aboard the SS United States with her mother and sister to Europe, where she explored her family’s Alsatian roots and visited relatives in France. She also loved exploring the U.S. by motorhome, always eager to discover new places or return to familiar favorites. She lived with integrity, kindness, and quiet dedication to those around her.

Bea is survived by her sons, Kris Minnear and Bryan Minnear; daughter-in-law, Lisa Minnear; and her sister, Marilyn Ferrell (Tom). She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Henriette Kuenstle.

She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

Animals were a constant presence in Bea’s life. She often said she couldn’t remember a time without a dog. She rescued many animals over the years, and they played an important part in her life. Charitable contributions in Bea’s honor can be made to Clatsop Animal Assistance.