Beatrice Ann Fruth

MONONA - Beatrice Ann “Bea” Fruth, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her home on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. She was born on Feb. 11, 1934, in Beloit, Wis., the third of four children of Chester and Helen DeHaven. She graduated from Madison Central High School in 1952. In her youth, Bea was athletic, sang in the choir, and would fondly recall tales of singing on the balcony of the State Capitol …. dressed as an angel.  In her early years, Bea worked as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin Union, before dedicating herself to being the world's best wife and mother. Beatrice supported her husband through his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, while raising six children.

Beautiful Bea was her nickname and there was no better one for her.  She created beauty on a daily basis.  Bea could barely cook when she married Marv on July 17, 1954. Through sheer determination and skill, she became “Beautiful Beatrice the Culinary Genius,” Marvin’s reference to the best part of his life. The Fruth home became the “go to” house for a delicious meal.  Her door was always open to all, including Marv’s university students from around the world.  One student, a retired Harvard professor, said of Beatrice: “Beatrice had an indomitable spirit, incredible energy and an uncanny ability to manage a household filled with active (sometimes rambunctious) children.”

Beatrice also created the most beautiful quilts, a favorite gift when her children had their own children.  She sewed clothes for her children and knitted cozy sweaters.  She loved spending time outside tending to her flowers.

Her beautiful, generous spirit were evident at Christmas time.  Father David Kiefer, a dear family friend, had a parish on the Menominee Reservation in Neopit.  Each year Marv and Bea hosted a mass, gourmet meal and celebration for their friends.  All of the friends came laden with gifts for the children of the parish.

She was a fierce sports fan and unwavering supporter of her teams, the Packers and the Badgers.  Bea watched everything from March Madness to professional tennis.  No one made better use of the tennis channel knowing every player on the court, as if she coached them herself.  

Beatrice was preceded in death by her son, Joseph; her parents, Chester and Helen; sisters, Betty and Patricia; brother, Bill; sister-in-law, Mary DeHaven; brothers-in-law, Jim Schwarz and Charles Reithmeyer; son-in-law, Paul Lindenmeyer; granddaughter-in-law, Rayanna DiSalvo; and many dear friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Renee (Phil) North, Pam Fruth, Cindy (David) Zink, and Michelle (Gary) Pressentin; and son, Charles (Beth) Fruth; grandchildren, Joshua North, Kali North, Zachary DiSalvo, Nicholas (Kelly) North, Joseph (Melissa) Fruth Jr., Wyatt Fruth, Nicole Fruth, Chelsey (Greg) Grosvenor, Dylan (Kasey) Zink, Jacob Fruth, Hannah (Andy) Cooper, Arabela Wiley, Lt. Jeffrey Zellner Pressentin, Samuel Fruth, and Gigi Pressentin; and great-grandchildren, Kierra North, Kyra Hogan, Jayla Hogan, Maia Fruth, Aria Fruth, Annabel Fruth, Felix Johnston and Rhett Grosvenor.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Marvin and Beatrice Fruth Great People Scholarship Fund. The fund was created for the UW School of Education by Marvin and Beatrice to give back to the institution that has provided so much to the Fruth Family.

Donations may be made by one of the following:

Online: supportuw.org/giveto/fruthfund

Please select the Marvin and Beatrice Great People Scholarship Fund

Or

By mail:

UW Foundation

US Lockbox 78807

Milwaukee, WI 53276-0807

Record the fund number 132307576 in the memo line of the check.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, followed by a luncheon at THE EAST SIDE CLUB, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, overlooking Beatrice’s home on Lake Monona.

Bea loved a great party, please join us for a wonderful celebration of life.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420