Beatrice Joyce Wiechman

Beatrice Joyce (Johnson) Wiechman, 83 years old, passed away August 6, 2012 at Gracepointe Crossing West in Cambridge, Minnesota. Bea was born in Hills, MN on May 1, 1929 (May Day) to Levi and Ruth (Moe) Johnson. She was baptized in Hills, MN and attended Sunday school at the First Methodist Church in Worthington. When she was 10 years old, her family moved to a farm south of Worthington. Later her family moved to Worthington where Bea graduated from high school in 1947. While in Worthington, Bea worked at an ice cream store. She also met a young man named Carl Wiechman and they were married in 1949. Three children Robert, Steven and Debra were born in Worthington before the family moved to Willmar where Heidi was born in 1957. In 1960, Carl, Bea and the family moved to Pine City where Jon was born. They purchased a farm in Rock Creek and Bea has resided there until her death last Monday. Bea worked at the Pine County Courthouse in the Auditor's office for many years until health issues began. She has had trouble with her health most of her adult life, but her faith and trust in Jesus Christ as her Savior and the love of her family helped her through it all. Bea was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church of Pine City for many years. She was active in LWML, choir, altar guild, Sunday school teacher, and church secretary. Bea had a strong faith all through her health trials, and she loved to sing praises to God. She also sang at many weddings and funerals and sang with the Pine City Senior Citizen Choir. She especially loved singing to her grandchildren who all knew her as their "Grandma Bea." She made every grandchild feel special in her own way by sewing them quilts, clothes and dolls. She is survived by her children Debra and her husband Tim Taylor of Adrian, Minnesota, Heidi and her husband Larry Pogones of Pine City, Robert Wiechman and his wife Connie of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Jon Wiechman of the West Rock Area. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Travis (Jenny) Wiechman, Stephanie Toman, Sean (Melissa) Wiechman, Kyllan (Gordy) Pankonin, Brina Bea (Doug) Felten, Joshua Wiechman, Alexandra Taylor, Drew Pogones, & Katherine Taylor, 7 great grandchildren, Brett Pankonin, Becca Bea Felten, Ethean Wiechman, Sunny Wiechman, Josie Toman, Andrew Toman, Steven Toman, sister Heidi and her husband Fred McCluskey of Elk River, brother Clayton Johnson of Maryland and special nephew Michael Johnson. Beatrice is preceded in death by her parents Levi & Ruth Johnson, husband Carl Wiechman, son Steven, infant son Jon David, infant daughter Caroline Ruth, granddaughter Christine Taylor, infant granddaughter Valorie Jane Pogones, daughter-in-law Judy (Mettling-Wiechman) Coplan, brothers Douglas, Lyman, Raynor and Arland Johnson. Funeral services for Mrs. Beatrice Wiechman were Friday, August 10th at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Glen Kleppe officiating. Music was by Deb Taylor as soloist and Katy Ovick as organist. Casket bearers included Michael Johnson, Joshua Wiechman, Drew Pogones, Travis Wiechman, Sean Wiechman, Gordy Pankonin and Doug Felten. Interment was in the Worthington City Cemetery, Worthington, Minnesota. Arrangements are with the Swanson Funeral Chapel of Pine City. www.funeralandcremationsetvice.com