Beatrice “Bea” Van Patten, 88, of Silver Lake, Wis., passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Mt. Carmel Medical & Rehab Center, Burlington, Wis.

She was born Feb. 19, 1921, in Salem Township, Wis., the daughter of the late Charles and Martha (Krahn) Romie.

On Sept. 27, 1940, she married Llewellyn "Buster" Van Patten in Clinton, Iowa; he preceded her in death April 5, 1992.

Before settling in Silver Lake in 1993, Bea had lived in Lake Villa, Ill., and Antioch, Ill., for over 45 years, then in Gordon, Wis., for five years. While living in Antioch, she had worked at the Antioch Laundromat, the Antioch Theater, and assisted her late husband "Buster" as Township Clerk. Bea was a devoted housewife and mother.

Survivors include four daughters, Karen I. (Dennis) Goodenough of Geneva, Ill., Merry Geiken of Burlington, Wis., Shirley Schlagel of Trevor, Wis., and Debra (Howard) Schell of Emmaus, Pa.; eight grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and a brother, Robert Romie of Arkansas.

In addition to her parents and husband, Bea was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Greenwald; and a brother, Willard "Bud" Romie.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, at the Strang Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 4 p.m. Interment of her ashes will be later in Liberty Cemetery, Salem Township, Wis. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to the Antioch Fire Department, in her memory. Please sign our online guest book at www.strangfh.com.

Strang Funeral Home

1055 Main Street

(Route 83)

Antioch, IL 60002

847-395-4000