Beatrice Viola Pederson was born to Anders and Olive Pederson on July 21, 1930. She was baptized and confirmed at Golden Valley Lutheran Church. She attended elementary school at Ramble School and high school at Reeder ND and Buffalo SD. she got her teacher certificate and taught one year at Swanson School in Perkins County.  Bea married Ralph in 1949. They had 5 children, Diane, Pam, Nancy, Steve and Bruce. She was active on the farm tending sheep and preparing meals for branding, shearing, and other big events. Bea also took meals to the field for Ralph which they enjoyed together. They continued to farm and ranch until the early 2000's. During this time Bea enjoyed dances with Ralph and all the neighbors.

Bea enjoyed getting together with the ladies knitting club, ladies aid at Ralph Lutheran Church where she was a very active member, she was also a member of Sons of Norway which she was very proud of. She loved reading and crossword puzzles while hunkered down around the fire. She enjoyed bowling leagues in Reeder and Hettinger, gardening and canning, camping, following her grandkids in sports, and family gatherings for any reason. She also served on the Harding County Bookmobile.

Ralph passed away in December of 2007. Bea continued to live in Reeder playing cards or visiting at the senior center. She would welcome anyone to her house for a cup of coffee or a full-fledged meal.

In October of 2018 she entered Western Horizons Living Center where she enjoyed her fellow residents and staff.

Bea passed away Sunday September 18, 2022 at Western Horizons Living Center with her family by her side.

Bea is survived by her children, Diane Sanford of Reeder ND, Pam and Greg Oase of Littleton CO, Nancy and Scott Doe of Beulah ND, Steve and Barbara Verhulst of Ralph, SD, and daughter-in-law Linda Verhulst of Reeder, ND. Twelve grandchildren; Sheldon (Lonna) Sanford, Brent (Kim) Sanford, Garrett Sanford, Daniel Oase, Angela Oase, Haley (Dan) Waind, Michael (Tanya) Doe, Leslie Streed, Lindsay (Brooks) Sabot, Rachel (Colin) Ellis, Alicia (Chad) Porsch, Elizabeth (Scott Smith) Verhulst, 21 great grandchildren,1 great great grandchild, sisters, Opal Mathison and Elva Meconitas, brother, Arvid Pederson, her cousins, Dorian Valloff, Joyce

Lorenz, Ruby Goerndt, and Petra, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friend Morris Wanek.

She was preceded in death by her parents Anders and Olive, her husband Ralph, her son Bruce, her infant grandson Gregory Oase Jr., sisters, Agnes, Pearl, Grace, and brother Olin.