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Beata Esther Wamhoff, a humble and faithful servant of the Lord, passed peacefully at the age of 103 into the presence of her savior on Dec. 13, 2023.
The first born of German immigrants, she was born on Nov. 28, 1920, at the beginning of the Roaring 20s in Lovell. She grew up during the Great Depression, moving from Wyoming to Michigan and back again. She graduated from Cowley High School in 1939 and was the first in her family to graduate from high school. After graduation she went to work as a counter girl for Lovell Drug, giving most of her paycheck to her parents to help pay the “depression bills.” While working at the drugstore she couldn't help but notice a tall, dark and handsome man from Emblem.
On Sept. 28, 1941, Beata and Arnold were married and they moved to the family farm in Emblem where they made their home for the next 60 years. They welcomed four daughters, Karen, Sharleen and twins Linda and Laura into their busy lives on the farm and continued to be active in their church and community. Beata raised beautiful flowers and large gardens, canning and freezing most of their food.
Beata always loved to serve her church and community, and after moving to Powell in 2000, she spent several years serving the Powell Hospital as an aide. She was always very sociable, loving people and helping them in any way that she could. Her family holds dear memories of her large holiday family dinners, followed by a spirited game of pinochle.
After they retired from farming, they enjoyed traveling across the country and visiting their children. They were avid snowmobilers and were often the first couple out on the dance floor, especially when it came to dancing the polka!
Her husband, Arnold, passed away in 2003 and her parents preceded her in death, as did her only brother. In 2012 she moved into the Rocky Mountain Manor and in 2018 into the Powell Valley Care Center. The light of her life was her lord and savior, her family and many friends.
Beata was blessed with a long life and those who knew her celebrate her life. Her memory is cherished by her four daughters: Karen Schutte (Mike), Sharleen Rogers, Linda Woods, (Wayne), Laura Gwinn, 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
Services of remembrance and celebration will be held on Dec. 28, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Friends may send condolences and/or memorials in her memory in care of Thompson Funeral Home in Powell. Following the church service, burial will be at the Emblem cemetery.
