Obituaries

Bernice “Bea” Arlene Strelow (née Schultz), aged 90, died April 15, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. Born November 14, 1935, Bea was the oldest of two children of Albert Herman Schultz (1904 – 1976) and Louise Marie Bobbette Schultz (née Roth) (1897 – 1985). She had one beloved brother, Delbert Dean Schultz, who predeceased her in 2009.

Bea was born and lived on the family farm near rural May City, Iowa. She often spoke of the fun times she had growing up playing with her brother in the grove, fishing, gardening, and doing other chores. She even milked cows by hand! Bea’s roots were evident throughout her life. She carried these traditions on as well as baking Christmas cookies and preparing comfort foods from recipes handed down or from the local church cookbooks.

Bea attended Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Nebraska with a plan to become a preschool teacher. In her first year she met Gilbert Strelow, they married in 1955 and started a family soon after. They had four children, Connie (Tom), Cheri (Peter), Dan (Marie) and Cindy (Bob). In the early days, they moved often but eventually settled down on Roosevelt Road in Wheaton, Illinois. After the marriage dissolved, Bea remained in that home for 31 years, raising her children as a single parent. She loved being a mom and would often say that’s all she ever wanted to do.

Bea had seven grandchildren, Katrina (Carlos), Karl, Tessa, Mark, Sean, Maia, and Claire. She was very close to each of them, keeping in touch by calls and texts. She frequently visited and attended many of their activities including concerts, recitals, performances, graduations, and life events. In 2022, Katrina and Carlos blessed Bea with becoming a great-grandmother to Malcolm and again in 2025 to Miles.

Bea loved her daughter-in-law, Marie, and sons-in-law, Tom, Peter and Bob as if they were her own. She warmly embraced their families and the feeling was mutual. When Connie married Tom, Bea gained two more grandchildren, Terri and Vicki, and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Bea spent many wonderful times with them all.

Bea was very close to her only brother, Delbert and his wife Marlene. Their children, Denise (Loran), DeAnn, and Brenda, and their grandchildren Reed, Nyx, and April were very special to Bea. She greatly enjoyed spending time with all of them and her trips to Texas and Louisiana to visit relatives and attend reunions.

Bea’s home was always filled with close friends. There was a particularly close-knit group of friends she had from living on 14th Street in Lombard, Illinois. The Ghislain family was ever present at making life a party, which Bea loved. Bea married Joe and spent 20 years enjoying his company at the farm, traveling, and fun times with friends.  Joe was a blessing to us all.  His son, Bea’s stepson, Jim, carries on his legacy at the farm.

Bea had a long career in front office positions at Suburban Buick in Wheaton where she worked for 25+ years.  Her contributions were many and, as always, she was known for her kindness and friendship to all. This was where she met her life-long friend, Rosemary.  Bea also worked part time for many years at Ace Hardware in Wheaton, making more lasting relationships. In retirement, Bea was the full-time caregiver for her granddaughter, Claire, a “job” she was born to do.

Bea was a people person, just like her brother, Delbert.  There wasn’t a person she met whom she wasn’t interested in.  Her children’s friends were her friends. Bea called people she knew all over the country to see how they were doing. She would chat with strangers and loved to talk about her family but mostly she listened. People would remember her after one encounter.  Bea moved to Arizona in 2020 and bought a home she loved. She was able to enjoy the beautiful weather and Pebblecreek community and everything it had to offer.  Bea made good friends and enjoyed frequent get-togethers.

Bea was an extraordinary mother. She was always supportive, no matter what the circumstances, shuttling between her children’s homes to visit and help, remembering and asking about details of their lives. The family would often meet in various locations to enjoy time together celebrating special birthdays and reunions.  In November 2025 the entire family gathered to celebrate her 90th birthday in Arizona.  We feel so blessed to have had this special last time all together.

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