Beatrice H. “Bea” Fossum

Lansing, MI

 

Beatrice was born in Lansing, MI, on October 19, 1921, and she passed to join the saints in Heaven on April 30, 2018, at age 96.

Beatrice enjoyed working for the Lansing Board of Education after graduating from Lansing Central High School, but soon traded her employment for a wonderful married life when she became Mrs. Norman Fossum. Norman was a track star at Lansing Central High School and was a member of the Lansing Sports Hall of Fame. They were wed during Norman’s time in the army in WWII. They were married in a small Lutheran church in Williamsburg, VA, in May of 1941.

Bea loved to sew, cook, garden and travel with Norm. She was a devoted mother to her four children. They were her life.

Beatrice was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Norman H. Fossum; daughter, Sandra (William) Bayes; and her daughter, Lori Sue Fossum. She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Robert) Bush; son, John A. (Patricia) Fossum; and son-in-law, William Bayes. Also surviving are her grandchildren, David (Andrea) Bayes, Timothy Bayes, Holly (Michael) Bayes Millard, Steven (Shannon) Bush, Rebecca (Pastor Matthew) Grunewald, Jennifer (Jason) Kolodizieizyck, Sarah (John) Hyatt, and John D. Fossum. In addition “Bea” is survived by 14 great-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

Beatrice was a lifelong member of Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing and a lifetime member of the Lansing Liederkranz Club.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 7, 2018, at Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lansing with Pastor Paul J. Lindloff officiating. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Delta Township. Her family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Memorial contributions will be made to the American Heart Association or Emanuel First Evangelical Lutheran Church Sanctuary Fund.