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Can you imagine what life was like 100 years ago, when Beata Korell was born? World War I had just ended, as had the Spanish flu pandemic that claimed 50 million lives worldwide. There were no …
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Can you imagine what life was like 100 years ago, when Beata Korell was born? World War I had just ended, as had the Spanish flu pandemic that claimed 50 million lives worldwide. There were no microwaves, many homes still did not have electricity and telephones were a novelty in rural areas.
But the party that would normally mark such a milestone has been put on hold because of the 2020 version of a pandemic. Instead, hugs and well wishes will need to wait for the Powell resident who celebrated her 100th birthday Nov. 28 at Powell Valley Care Center.
A celebration was planned by her daughters, Karen Schutte of Windsor, Colorado, Sharleen Rogers of Billings, Montana, Laura Gwinn of Powell and Linda Woods of San Diego. The original party was to have been a gathering at Beata’s church, with about 30 of her closest family and friends. But the recent spike in COVID cases put an end to that. Because of restrictions put in place at the care center to keep its residents safe from the virus, no gathering could be held there. Instead, there was a drive by caravan of about 25 cars. Beata sat outside under the awning in the wonderful weather on her birthday and the caravan members all offered their greetings.
Gwinn said the well-wishers stayed at least 6 feet from her mother, but spoke with her and, because of Beata’s limited eyesight, made sure to identify themselves.
“She felt really blessed,” Gwinn said. “It was a very good turnout.”
Growing up
Beata Korell Wamhoff was born Esther Beata Korell to Jacob and Rosie Schmidt Korell on Nov. 28, 1920, in Lovell at the beginning of the Roaring ‘20s. Four years later, she was joined by her only sibling and beloved brother, Arnold Korell. They were very close throughout their lives. Arnold would go on to serve in World War II and Korea. He passed away in 2002.
Around 1925 the family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, hoping Rosie’s relatives could help Jacob find work. He got a job at Ford Motor Co. and for a while they were doing very well; Beata started first grade. But the family of four returned to Wyoming as soup lines formed in Michigan.
Beata grew up in the Great Depression, not expecting much of anything because that’s what they had — hard times. She has many memories of the hardships of those days. Beata’s family says she always appreciated anything she had and anything folks did for her. New clothes were scarce, but her mother cut down or altered hand-me-downs. No matter how old the clothing, it was always pressed and clean.
Beata went to school in Port Huron, Kane, Lovell and Cowley, graduating from Cowley High School. She worked as a counter clerk at Lovell Drug Store and noticed one of her customers, Arnold “Jimmy” Wamhoff from out at Emblem Bench.
The Korell/Schmidt families were large — averaging eight or nine children, so Beata always had someone to play with. Later on, in high school, her slightly older uncles taught her to dance. She would walk to a dance when she was in high school if she couldn’t get a ride. Beata formally met Arnold Wamhoff at a Lutheran youth party in Lovell. They began dating and were married in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lovell on Sept. 28, 1941.
Married life
They started married life at Emblem in a large white farmhouse, where Arnold’s widowed mother still lived. She was running the telephone switchboard and helped Beata learn how to keep such a big house. Beata and Arnold would live there for the next 60 years.
Their first daughter, Karen, was born in 1942, followed by Sharleen in 1946, then twins Linda and Laura. Mrs. Wamhoff moved to Greybull, leaving Beata in charge of the farmhouse. She always had large gardens from which she canned or froze the produce to feed her family during the winter.
Gardening was a special gift and beloved endeavor. Beata loved her flowers, especially roses and dahlias and won many awards with them at the county fair.
Favorite memories of the family include the typical Sunday dinner of fried chicken, fluffy mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh vegetables from the gardens and wonderful strawberry shortcake. Those gatherings finished up with the girls washing, drying and putting away the dishes, all by hand.
Beata was active in community and church women’s groups, helped with the elections, and never missed an opportunity to take something baked to her friends who were ill or in need. Her flower gardens were beautiful and she entered several of her prize dahlias in the county fair. She sewed clothes for her daughters, including roller skating outfits and matching Western 49ers outfits to wear when they rode their horses in area parades.
The family took many trips to Yellowstone, California, Washington state and Montana. Beata didn’t go out into the field unless it was to take Arnold a cool Mason jar of ice tea and a slice of cake on a hot summer day. The exception was during beet harvest. If an extra truck driver was needed, she volunteered.
Holidays were the occasion for huge family gatherings and cooking began a week in advance. After the meal, dishes were washed by the women, then they got the cards out and a rowdy game of pinochle ensued.
Arnold and Beata didn’t miss many area dances. They were usually the first on and the last to leave the dance floor, especially if the tunes played were polkas. Arnold taught his daughters to dance by letting them stand on his shoes as he danced to the songs on the phonograph while Beata was getting dressed for the dance.
A move to Powell
In 2000, the couple left the farm and moved to Powell to their retirement home on Beartooth Drive. Even then, they stayed tremendously busy, traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, through the South, and down the Mississippi River on a river boat and to New Orleans. There were frequent trips to San Diego and Tennessee where their daughters lived. Pinochle remained a great favorite and they often played with friends. Snowmobiling filled the winter months.
They enjoyed living in “town” for three years, before Arnold passed away on Feb. 14, 2003. Beata remained in their home and stayed busy with her raspberry patch and small garden. There were just enough vegetables for herself and some neighbors, who she made a point to know.
Beata treasured having her youngest daughter Laura and her children living around the corner. Beata loved to have company, enjoyed lunches with her many friends and was active in quilting, serving as a pink lady at the hospital and church groups. The light of her life was her Lord and savior, her family, friends and little black poodle, Nocka. She always set the table for dinner and no one left her house hungry.
Always thinking of others, Beata was one of the first to offer help or visit the sick, usually with a fresh baked treat in hand.
Around 2010 Beata decided to sell her home and move to the Rocky Mountain Manor where she made many friends and enjoyed her apartment for the next several years. Her next move was to Powell Valley Care Center where she bloomed with the care the staff gave her. They soon learned that Beata was very social and loved to play cards, Wii bowl and any other entertainment that was available. She still enjoys cards and traveling on the bus when possible, as well as interacting with the staff and other residents.
Pandemic disruptions
Visits from friends and family and her pastor were highlights of her day until the COVID pandemic. It hit her hard because it cramps her social style. She hates being shut-in, but appreciates the fact the staff is trying to keep the residents safe. Her daughters call her often and soon learned to keep track of what they told her because she would remind them that they told her the same thing two days ago. As her eyesight becomes worse as a result of macular degeneration, she has sought larger print magazines and playing cards. Even with diminished hearing and eyesight, she is not deterred. If there was a way to do something, she dives right in.
“Mom has been such a shining example of Christian living and attitude to all of us. She rarely complains and has the best attitude—she finds the best in everything. She is showing us the way to grow old and retain your humor and dignity! She is loved dearly by her daughters and immediate family as well as all who know her,” said her daughter Karen Schutte.
This 100-year-old lady is loved by so many; she has a special way of lighting up a room when she comes in and she is appreciative of anything done for her, perhaps a hold over from the earliest years of her life during the Great Depression.
Beata is cherished by her four daughters, loves spoiling her 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family is working on an in-person celebration — perhaps hosting the postponed gathering at the church when the virus is no longer a threat or there is a vaccine.
