Beatrice June Richards

Beatrice "Bea" June Richards, of Stevens Point, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024, at the age of 86.
Bea was born April 9, 1938, in Avenal, CA; daughter of the late George and Lucille (Daggs) Bowman. She spent her childhood years in Avenal before her family relocated to Reno, NV, where she attended Sparks High School.
While in high school, Bea met Gerald Richards. The two fell in love and were united in marriage on June 27, 1954. Together, they welcomed four children, Steve, Terry, Cathey, and Sharon. For many years, Bea worked as a CNA at a care facility. Additionally, she also worked alongside Gerald to operate their own dairy farm, a restaurant and bakery, and managing properties. Upon retiring, the two moved to Flora, IL, and later, to Wisconsin where Bea resided until her passing.
Bea found great joy in being a homemaker; she was a caring wife, a loving mother, and took pride in keeping a comfortable and supportive home for her family. She had a creative side to her and displayed her artistic abilities through crocheting and a variety of other crafts. She also found solace in gardening. As a spiritual person, it was important to her to give back to her community and was a dependable volunteer at Care Wear and the local senior center, among other organizations.
Bea is survived by her husband, Gerald; her children, Stephen Richards, Terry (Mary Grudzinski) Richards, Cathey (Kris) Hankison, and Sharon (Brad) Elmore; 5 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters, Janice Turner and Betty Murray, as well as many nieces and nephews.
For those wishing to express their sympathies, the family kindly suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Bea's honor to Care Wear, a local organization that uses their creative talents to handmake comfort items for cancer patients (CareWear.org) or the Stevens Point Police Department Canine Unit (933 Michigan Ave., Stevens Point, WI 54481).
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Shuda Funeral Chapel - 3200 Stanley Street, Stevens Point. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow at the Plover Cemetery.