Hockessin- Bernice “Bea” Linstad Stracke age 96, of Hockessin, DE passed away peacefully on Friday October 28, 2022, at Cokesbury Village.
Bea was born in Minneapolis MN on May 19, 1926 to Axel Linstad and Esther Gassrud. Her parents were first generation Norwegians, and she kept in touch with many of her cousins in Norway. She grew up in Evanston, IL. After graduating from high school, she worked at Washington National Insurance Company in Evanston, IL as a secretary. She married the love of her life, Fred Stracke, at Trinity Lutheran Church on June 25, 1949. They moved to New Jersey in 1951, where she was a homemaker and kept busy raising their four sons. Fred’s work took them to France, Spain and England. In 1968, they built a vacation home in Lake Naomi, Pocono Pines, PA, where she spent every summer, hosting friends and creating precious memories with her family. After Fred’s death in 1973, she became a consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics, winning many awards including the Queen’s Court Sales distinction.
Bea led a remarkable life full of activities and interests. She was always on the go. When she moved to Cokesbury Village in 2004, she remained active by playing golf, tennis, bridge, serving on various committees and volunteering in the gift shop. She created “Thirsty Thursdays” in the Cokesbury Dining Room, and started the Shoestring Performers Theatre Ensemble. She hit a hole in one once. To say Bea had the travel bug would be an understatement. She visited 49 states, 65 countries, walked the Great Wall of China, safaried in Africa, and went parasailing in Mexico at age 87. It seemed her suitcase was always packed, just waiting for the next adventure. Her last trip was to Key West, with her family, just 2 weeks before Covid shut the world down. Despite traveling all over the globe, Bea always said her favorite trips were the ones where her children and grandchildren joined her. Bea lived her life with compassion, courage, generosity, kindness and optimism. She also enjoyed knitting and reading in her spare time.
Bea was preceded in death by her parents Axel & Esther, husband Fred, brother Howard, and son Paul. She is survived by her sons Mark, Don (Norina),and Dave (Kathy) She is also survived by her grandchildren Alexa, Alicia (Tim), Douglas, Dylan, Emma, Charlotte (Chad), Tyler; and great grandson Caleb.
Bea’s family would like to thank the staff at Cokesbury Village, especially the nurses and staff Willowbrook Court, Memory Care and Acts Hospice for their compassionate care over the past few years.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life liturgy service on November 20, 2:30 pm, at Cokesbury Village, 726 Loveville Road, Hockessin, DE on November 20th at 2:30. A luncheon will follow.
In lieu of flowers please continue Bea's generosity and donate to the charity of your choice in Bea's name