Beatrice Galko

Obituary of Beatrice GalkoBeatrice Annabel Galko nee Taves, dear mother of Kathryn/Kay Clarey nee Galko and mother in law of Martin Clarey. Beloved grandmother of Martina Bea Clarey, McKay Owen Clarey and his fiancé, RaeAnn Staab. Devoted Christian and founding member of Abiding Hope Lutheran Church in Ocala, FL. Bea served tirelessly in the Ladies' Aid, the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society and Bible study. Born August 9, 1926 to Marie and Walter Taves in Medina, Wisconosin, she spent most of her childhood in Waterloo, WI where her father and uncle established the International Harvester farm implement dealership. Bea lived next door to and attended St John's Lutheran School. She graduated from Waterloo High School and attended the University of Wisconsin/Madison. Moving to Milwaukee, she worked at the Boston Store and met John Galko - at a bar. They were married in November 1948. After several years as a fulltime wife and mother, Bea accepted an emergency call to teach kindergarten at St Jacobi Lutheran School. She was a natural and continued teaching for over 20 years at St Jacobi and after relocating with John to California in 1967, at King of Kings in Garden Grove. Bea and John also lived in Phoenix, AZ, Detroit, MI, and finally settled down at the Rolling Greens golf community, Ocala, FL in 1983. Bea golfed for over 60 years and was very proud to be the women's club champion in 1999 with low net score. Bea was always busy and active in the church and community. She co-led the women's water aerobics class, played cards every Tuesday evening and sang alto with the Rolling Greens Songsters. Bea was preceded in death by her brother Clayton Taves and her devoted husband of 58 years, John. She is survived by Marty, Kay, Martina and McKay Clarey, two sisters in law, Nicky Taves and Caroline Petzold, four nieces, Kerri Degner, Jane Hegg, Ann Linskens and Mary Bauer, and two nephews, Arthur Petzold and Kris Taves. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church at 11:00am with Pastor Paul Lemke officiating. Roberts Funeral Homes Bruce Chapel East, Ocala, FL is in charge of arrangements. Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made in Beatrice's honor to Abiding Hope Lutheran Church 777 SE 58th Avenue, Ocala FL 34480.

Beatrice Galko

August 9, 1926 - May 4, 2011