Beatrice L. Rakosky

Beatrice Rakosky was a very special woman who dedicated her life to her family. Though she was a very independent lady, Beatrice always counted on the company of her family to put a smile on her face and joy to her heart. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren, and the successes in their lives are a great testimony to her parenting. The turn of the century decade, from 1900 to 1909, was one of transition and progress. The industrial age was in full swing and mass production made prices fall to all time lows. Henry Ford provided the first affordable automobile and the Sunday drive became a national pastime. In Muskegon, Michigan, life for Charles and Anna (Abrahamson) Lindquist was also changing as they anxiously awaited the arrival of their first child. On September 14, 1909, the couple welcomed the birth of their daughter, Beatrice. She was later joined by her younger sister, Constance, and brother, Warren. Beatrice lived in Muskegon all of her life. It was the place she called home, and the place where she created a lifetime full of memories with her family and friends. Her family was proud of their Swedish heritage and were members of Samuel Lutheran, a Swedish Lutheran church in their community. Beatrice was confirmed in this church on May 11, 1924, a day she treasured throughout her life. Sadly, tragedy struck the Lindquist family when Anna died from the horrific flu epidemic of 1919. This left Charles to raise three children on his own as well as work at his job in the Muskegon Public Schools. Because of this, Beatrice's younger brother, Warren, was sent to live with the Iversen family. Beatrice received her education in the Muskegon Public Schools through the 11th grade. She then went on to attend Jewell Business School, which is now known as Baker College, before working various clerking jobs in town. In 1928, a wonderful thing happened to Beatrice - she met the love of her life, Edward Rakosky, and after a brief courtship of six weeks, they were married on August 11, 1928, in South Bend, Indiana. They soon became the proud parents of three children: Marshall, Roger and Sandra. After the arrival of the children, Beatrice stayed home to devote herself to the role of a mother and wife. She took great pride in providing a warm and nurturing environment for her children, and she was always involved in their schooling and other activities, including being a member of the Bluffton School PTA. The family lived in the close-knit neighborhood of Bluffton, where the neighbors looked out for one another and took an active part in their community. Eventually, Beatrice and Edward had a house built on McCracken Street in Norton Shores, where she lived for more than 30 years. Although Beatrice had a happy life, it was also marked by great sorrow. She lost her son, Roger, on October 11, 1959, who died of injuries sustained in a car accident in Ann Arbor. Then, in 1971, her husband Edward took early retirement from his job at Brunswick, only to die four months later from a heart attack he suffered while fishing in the Manistee River. He was only 63. Fiercely independent, Beatrice found comfort in her family during these sorrowful times, yet always remained self-sufficient. She continued to live alone in her home and did all the maintenance work herself; she knew what needed to be done and just did it. It wasn't until she was in her early 80's that she moved from her home to an apartment in North Muskegon, where she could still live independently, but didn't have all the work. At the age of 95, Beatrice went to live at Day Spring Living Center for about six months before her last move to Poppen Hospice House. She only resided here for a few days before she saw her family for one last time and passed away. Although Beatrice will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and dedication leave her loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort. Beatrice L. Rakosky died on Tuesday, January 17, 2006. She is survived by her son, Marshall (Karen Kalk) Rakosky of Green Valley, AZ; daughter, Sandra (David) Bliss of North Muskegon; 5 grandchildren, Michelle Rakosky of IL, Cynthia (Larry) Kauffman of Muskegon, Kristi (Larry) Cooper of Muskegon, Roger (Mary Beth) Bliss of Williamsburg, MI and Steven (Sara) Bliss of North Muskegon; 6 great grandchildren: Michael & Kevin Kauffman, James Cooper, Lauren & Lindsay Bliss and Andrew Bliss; 3 step great grandchildren, Kristen, Patrick & Daniel Nolan; and special niece, Susan Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, son, Roger, sister, Constance Johnson, brother, Warren Iversen and daughter-in-law, Ellen Rakosky. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory to Hospice of Muskegon-Oceana.