Beatrice A. Getchel, age 81, of Oshkosh, died Monday morning, January 10, 2011, at Bethel Home. Born on September 19, 1929, in Oshkosh, to William and Ann (Harnitz) Ceelen, Bea married Robert Getchel on July 4, 1976 in Placerville, California. Robert preceded Bea in death on July 19, 1987.
A waitress at Robbins and other various restaurants for 35 years, Bea most recently was employed as a greeter at Wal-Mart for 15 years. She enjoyed her yard, gardening, reading, sewing, and time spent with her family and grandchildren. Bea is a member of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Sacred Heart Church.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Sandra (Darwin) Kienert of Oshkosh, Thomas Merkel of Oshkosh, Denise (Gary) Griedl of Oshkosh, and Corine Roberts of Oshkosh;
13 grandchildren, Tim (Becky) Sawicki, Lori (Gregg) Ulrich, Lisa (Bill) Busby, Bill (Cheryl) Merkel, Brad Merkel, Brian Merkel, Alicia Merkel, Angela, Amanda, Aaron, and Alyson Griedl; Melissa (Scott) Roberts-Burnoski, and Emily Roberts; six great-grandchildren, Cory and Miranda Merkel, Althea and Evan Merkel, Justin Sawicki, and Blake Busby; two brothers, Bill (Joyce) Ceelen of Oshkosh and Tony (Patti) Ceelen of Oshkosh; four sisters, Diana Schmidt of Tigerton, Wisconsin, Grace (Carl) Sawyer of Neenah, Rosemary (Jim) Scheuermann of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Pat (Lynn) Kraus of Oshkosh; a sister-in-law, Audrey Ceelen of Oshkosh; and nieces and nephews. Preceding Bea in death is her husband, an infant daughter, Susan Merkel in 1954, a brother, Henry Ceelen, and two sisters, Jean Grable and Charlotte Bruss.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 14, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street, with Reverend Justin Werner officiating. A time of visitation and sharing of memories will be held on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A memorial in Bea's name will be established by her family. The family would especially like to thank Bethel Home and the staff for their wonderful care and support given to Bea during her stay there, as well to Dr. Karen Gremminger and her staff for their caring presence. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.
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