In Memory

Beatrice Peter (Reaka)

Beatrice Peter (Reaka)

Beatrice K. Reaka, 72, of Belleville, Illinois, born November 21, 1945, in Belleville, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday January 30, 2018.

Beatrice wore many hats. She worked in telecommunications with Southwest Bell before spending 12 years as a stay at home mother. She reentered the workforce as the Head Cook at St. Mary's Catholic grade school. She spent nearly 30 years as a switchboard operator at Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Belleville before retiring in 2016. She was a member of Queen of Peace Parish Quilters. She loved gardening, sewing, and taking care of her adoring grandchildren. She had a love for everyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Caroline Peter.

Beatrice is survived by her husband of 49 years, David Reaka; sons, Dwayne (Nancy) Reaka, Bryan Reaka, Aaron (Emily) Reaka and Clifton (Barb) Reaka; sister, Eileen (Jerome) Kern; grandchildren, Katie (Austin) Luberda, Kyle Reaka, Lily Reaka, Isabella Reaka, Jimmy Davis and Jessica Tiemann; and a great-grandson, Brayden Crutchfield.

Visitation: A visitation for Beatrice will be held Friday, February 2, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy, Belleville, Illinois 62223.

Services: A funeral service will occur Friday, February 2, 2018, at 1 p.m., at the funeral home. A burial will occur at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy West, Belleville, Illinois 62223.

Published in Belleville News-Democrat on Feb. 1, 2018



 
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02/04/18 05:59 PM #1    

Sandra Wesolik (Thurmond)

Bea was one of the few friends I had in high school.  What a sweet person.  So sorry to see her go.

 


02/05/18 07:57 AM #2    

Nick Skidis

Was sad to hear that Beatrice has passed away, God bless.

 


02/05/18 03:20 PM #3    

Barb Saul (Carrico)

Bea always had a smile for everyone she met.  She had a sweet personality and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. 


02/05/18 09:40 PM #4    

Judy Richardson (Bugger)

Bea was my cousin and my maid of honor at my wedding. She was diagnosed with unoperable liver cance just a few weeks ago.  She was one of the sweetest girls I ever knew.  I don't ever remember her saying an unkind word about anyone.  I was sad that only two classmates showed up at her funeral.  She was a very special person and our family is really going to miss her.


02/06/18 05:50 AM #5    

Michael Hornacek

Condolences to Beatrice's family & friends, may her many fond memories help everyone through this tough time, God Bless!


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