Beatrice A. ‘Bea” (Johnson) Speer, 92, was surrounded by love as passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2010. She was born in West Bend on September 17, 1917 to the late George and Alice (nee: Hughes) Carnell, and moved to Racine as a child. She attended Washington Park High School. On September 6, 1934 in Chicago she was married to Harry J. Johnson. He preceded her preceded her in death on June 6, 1975. She later married Edward L. ‘Bud’ Speer on August 31, 1991, the love of her life, who preceded her in death on December 10, 1998. Bea worked as an interior decorator at Camarda’s. She was a 20 year volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital. Bea was a long-time member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and St. Michaels’ Episcopal Church. She was a long-time member of Racine Country Club. Since 1990 Bea spent many years “wintering” at her home in Bay Point, Panama City Beach, Florida. Among her interests, Bea enjoyed knitting, golf, bowling, tennis, the symphony, and playing cards. Bea was a gifted seamstress and decorator. She enjoyed wearing her new fashion creations. She loved being surrounded by family, especially her grand and great-grand children. First and foremost, she enjoyed socializing with her many dear friends, especially the ‘bowling gang’, the ‘Shanghai girls’ and her Bay Point friends. She will be dearly missed by her children, Lisa (Chris) Hillyer of Racine, and Donald (Jane) Johnson of Lake Bluff, IL.; grandchildren Todd (Sarah) Helfrich, Ben Helfrich, Mindy (Richard) Carter, Tally (James) Nathan, and Ben Johnson; great-grandchildren Nikki Nametz, Brittany Kutzke, Max and Brenner Nathan, and Madeline, Haley, and Caroline Helfrich; as well as son-in-law, Gene (Chris) Helfrich and their son Dan. Her step-children include Edward (Patricia) Speer, Mary ‘Polly’ (John) Guequierre, and Katie (John) Ely-Speer; Joe (Cathy) Martin, David (Diane) Martin; and Tim (Florence) Brehm; step-grandchildren Sarah (James) Harness and Mary Beth (Steve) Jantz. Her special step-grandchildren include Cameron and Ethan Jantz, and Madison Harness. She is also survived by her sister Janice Hughes, nieces and nephew. As she passes from this life into the next, she rejoins her much loved daughter, Pamela Helfrich. Funeral Services will be celebrated on March 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 4701 Erie St. with Fr. Terry McGugan officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Private family entombment will take place at Graceland Cemetery. In keeping with Bea’s wishes, memorials to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 520 8th Ave. 7th Floor, NY, NY 10018, or Hope Safehouse, 1911 Taylor Ave, Racine, WI, 53403 have been suggested. The family would like to thank Bea’s angels who really cared for and about her, the staff at Home Harbor, especially Stephanie, Denise and Alma, as well as Heidi, and of course, Carol.
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