Beatrice “Bea” Jo Ward, 81

Beatrice Jo Ward passed away Aug. 31, 2022, at age 81 years. She passed away at the Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls, Idaho. Bea was born in Desmet, Idaho, on Sept. 13, 1940, on the Coeur d’ Alene Native American Reservation.

Bea was born in Desmet in a tar paper shack at the bottom of the hill from the church. Her parents were Averill Slim Gowdy and Dolly (Swan) Gowdy. Bea had a brother, Dallas Gowdy. All of them are buried here at the Tribal Cemetery. She leaves behind her husband of 57 years, Vernon Ward; two sons, Darren Ward of Stanwood, Wash., and Bryan Ward of Seattle, Wash.; additionally, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bea and Vern lived in the same house in Seattle for just about 30 years and Post Falls, Idaho for 15 years and Rathdrum, Idaho for five years.

Bea moved to Seattle with her parents when she was three years old and, later in life, attended and graduated from Holy Names Academy, a Catholic all-girls high school. Bea loved to read many hard-back books and she owned three E-readers.

Bea later met her future husband, and they were married by Father Byrne, the same priest that married Slim and Dolly at the Mission in Desmet. Bea had worked in the Insurance business for over 30 years, the latest being State Farm in Seattle and Post Falls. Bea and Vern traveled a great deal visiting most states and Hawaii many times.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, at the Sacred Heart Mission, Desmet, Idaho, with an urn burial to follow at the Desmet Cemetery.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Bea’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com