Beatrice Rose “Bea” Dickes
FORDYCE - Beatrice Rose “Bea” Dickes, 90, Fordyce, died March 5, 2021, at Avera Sister James Nursing Home, Yankton, S.D.
Mass of Christian Burial was March 8 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, with Rev. Jim Keiter officiating.
Burial was in the St. John the Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation and a vigil service were at church Sunday, and continued one hour prior to the service Monday. Facemasks were required for the funeral and visitation. Services were also live streamed at www. facebook.com/WintzRay/live.
Pallbearers were John Dickes, Jeremy Dickes, Craig Dickes, Justin Dickes, Jimmy Dickes and Tony Vcelik.
Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.
Bea was born March 16, 1930, to Fred and Catherine (Klug) Wieseler in St. Helena. She grew up on the family farm, where she learned the values of strong faith and hard work. She attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing and following graduation she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, for a short time. Bea married Donald John Dickes Jan. 29, 1953, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Helena. Together they raised six children on the Dickes family dairy farm and were married for 58 years. In 1988, they retired and moved to town.
Bea was a dedicated Catholic throughout her life and was a member of the St. John’s ladies guild, the Christian Mothers, and led the rosary at Mass Sunday mornings. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother with a touch of that “Wieseler orneriness.” She loved to crochet and play cards, and will be remembered for her famous potato salad, chocolate chip cookies and extensive collection of turtles. Her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren will always cherish her quick humor and ready hugs.
Bea is survived by her children, Jeff (Stephanie) Dickes, Bow Valley; Jennifer (Jerry) Promes, Yankton, S.D.; Greg (Diane) Dickes, Fordyce; Gene (Sue) Dickes, Harlington; Judy (Mike) Vcelik, Gretna; and Gary (Amy) Dickes, Fordyce; 30 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Sharon Wieseler, Romaine Wieseler, Rose Wieseler, Gladys Wieseler, Sr. Rosaleen Dickes and Del Rae Dickes; brother-in-law, Wally Gayle; and close friend, Mary Jean Buschelman.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; eight siblings, Lucille (Joe) Burbach, Ralph (Mary) Wieseler, Sally (Robert) Anderson, Larry Wieseler, Gertrude Gale, Joe Wieseler, Art Wieseler, Jerome Wieseler; and beloved grandson, Aaron Dickes.