Date of Birth: July 19, 1927
Date of Death: November 28, 2025
On Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, Mom left us to join her beloved George (1925-2015) in their next world together. Most who knew her were surprised that she didn’t achieve 100 – she was 20 months short.
Bea was born to Isidore and Catherine (Mueller) Puetz on the family farm in Marysburg, SK – about 10 miles from Humboldt. She was their third child, and when her mom died after their seventh child, the family continued to grow when Isidore married Agnes. Bea was raised with 12 siblings (10 girls and three boys), on a vigorous and very successful grain farm. Like all her sisters, formal childhood education finished at Grade 8, to enhance farm productivity. The family’s life was based on the farm and at the remarkable Assumption Roman Catholic church in Marysburg.
Bea yearned to leave the farm with only limited choices for independent employment for women (eg: teaching, nursing, secretary). She managed to convince her father that enrolling in Madeleine School of Sewing in Saskatoon and living with an aunt was an excellent way to prepare for marriage and family life. As always, she worked hard, and passed the course easily, leaving behind large binders of her sample sewing. Before long though, she reconnected with George Parker, a hockey star from Humboldt, and then captain of the U of S Huskies. Many stories have been told about how George would ride his family’s horse (Fly!) from Humboldt to “court” Bea on the farm!
They were married in 1952, and followed the life of a pro hockey player in smaller US cities, before settling in Regina in 1956. Their family soon started: Mary Ann (Royce Johnson, children Sarah, Vanessa, Antonia, Royce Jr), Jim (Kate, and children Quinn, Oliver, Georgia and Elliot), Catherine (son Benoit), David (Wendy, and son Matthew), and Caroline (Rob Tuer and children William and Lauren). Her fascination and dedication to family continued to her four great-grandchildren from Mary Ann’s children.
Bea and George practiced a deep and constant faith, and in preparation for their fifth child, they moved to a larger home, and proximity to St .Anne RC Church in Hillsdale Regina. Here, they enjoyed church continuity and contributed with Lay Ministry and regular liturgical readings. Bea was an active member of the CWL “forever”.
Bea’s exemplary determination for growth and success for all her children was indomitable. Education, both academic and musical, sports (the legendary love and skill for hockey in this family), was constant. Her bridge groups were always part of her active life.
Bea resumed her own formal education after her youngest, Caroline, was in school. After completing matriculation, she obtained two university degrees at the University of Regina, and to the endless pride of her family achieved a seat on the Senate at the U of R. She was also active with the Canadian Federation of University Women and served on the Board of Catholic Family Services. She started her career as a social worker in Community Schools, Regina, after helping to build the programme in its earliest years. She made many enduring friendships with families she met.
Bea and George loved time at their cottage in Haffner Beach, Mission Lake, near Fort Qu’Appelle, SK. The proximity of the beautiful and historic Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Lebret, added to their special times in the Qu’Appelle Valley. They loved gardening together and enjoyed experimenting with multitudes of shrubs and flowers. Bea left a lasting legacy along the beach road, as it is now treed as a result of her diligence on collecting and planting seedlings, and determination in watering them during drought. Together they gave idyllic Sask. summers to family and many of their grandchildren. Climbing the hills for the Stations of the Cross was nearly obligatory, and each grandchild had private and very special outings to be with Grandma. Her 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren are all lesser without the influence of this remarkable woman.
Bea’s family wishes to thank the Emergency Department, the special nurses and other staff at the Pasqua Hospital. They would also like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Kathy Ferguson, and all of the compassionate and caring staff on 4B, especially Bukky Ameen and Benjamin. A special thanks to Dr. Baumann, Palliative Care, and to Rev. John-Baptist Okai who administered the last rites.
Further special thanks are sent to the Bentley Retirement Home where Bea lived for the last 12 years, happy in the knowledge that she remained in her community. She was especially grateful to Johnny, Micah, Vee and Anita.
A Celebration of Bea’s Life will be held in spring/summer 2026 with date and time to follow.
To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com
