Beatrice M. "Bea" Statz

Beatrice "Bea" M. Statz, age 91, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at Hilltop Grand Village.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday January 8, 2026, at 12:00pm at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will take place from 9:30am until the time of service. Rev. Barry Saylor will preside. Entombment will take place immediately following the service at Forest Hill Mausoleum.
Bea was born on March 27,1934, to Stephen and Johanna (Weissenbeck) Weigel in Marshfield, WI.
Bea met the love of her life, Tony, at The Country Ballroom in Marshfield, where dancing brought them together. With a little help from Tony's sister Dolores, who set them up on a St. Patrick's Day date, their story began. They fell deeply in love and started a life together after getting married on August 25,1956. They even built their own home–a true reflection of their partnership. Bea and Tony shared a love of square dancing. They also loved roller skating at the Silver Dome and other local rinks.
She was immensely proud of her roots as a farm girl, a title she wore with honor throughout her life. From a young age, she was her father's right hand, learning the value of hard work and responsibility–lessons she always carried with her.
Bea believed that "an idle mind is the devil's workshop," and she lived by those words. Keeping her family busy, active, and together was always a priority. She loved taking her family bicycling and cross-country skiing, often wearing matching jackets.
Family was the center of her world. Friday nights were reserved for family dinners out–a tradition that kept her family close. Above all, she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and rarely missed the opportunity to watch them at their sporting events.
A gifted and passionate creator, she ran her own sewing business, Bea's Custom Tailoring, and made wedding gowns and bridesmaids' dresses for all of her children's weddings. She also loved knitting, crocheting, and weaving yarn squares with her family, which she turned into afghans. In total, she made over 120 afghans, each one given away with love.
She loved to sing, and music remained close to her heart until the very end. Just days before her passing, she sang Christmas carols with her family-loudly, confidently, and even in German.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. She attended Mass every single day and found comfort in praying the rosary. Bea was a member of the PCCW, church choir, and took the time to decorate her church according to the season.
Bea is survived by her children, Mark Statz (Sue Johnson), Neil Statz (Holly Pastori), Renee Statz-Gilmour (Jim), and Connie (Richard) Schaetz; grandchildren, Steve (Missy) Statz, Becky (Brady) Suppeland, Jeremy (Macey) Statz, Joshua (Erin) Gilmour, Kenzie Statz, Amy Statz (Mark Truckey), Monica Schaetz (Greg Czarny), and Amber Schaetz (Tyler Simms); great-grandchildren, Evalyn Gilmour, Alex Gilmour, Johann Statz, Franz Statz, Riley Truckey, Teegan Truckey, Tanner Truckey, Leni Statz, Charlee Statz, Rowan Suppeland, and Stella Statz; sister, Rita Weigel-Bauer; and 25 nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Tony Statz; parents, sisters Joan Weigel and Maxine Feind; daughters in law, Kris Statz and Cherie Statz.
The family gives their warmest thanks to the staff at Hilltop Grand Village, who went over the top to take excellent care of Bea.
Memorials may be made to Catholic Relief Services in Bea's name.
Ritchay Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.