Beatrice "Bea" Ann Hatch

Beatrice "Bea" Ann Adkinson Hatch, age 79, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024, at Ogallala Community Hospital.

Beatrice was born on January 10, 1945, in Imperial, Nebraska, to Henry and Bula Adkinson. She passed away on December 30, 2024. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Dwight Alan Hatch, and is survived by her three children: Grant, Greg, and Julee; eight grandchildren: Garrett, Crystal, Dustin, Benjamin, Taylor, Gabriel, Nathaniel, and Blaise; two great-grandchildren, DJ and Harper; and siblings Wilma, Wilda, and Boyd.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to her family and far beyond; a wise educator; a skilled baker and jelly maker; a bossy taskmaster; a fierce card shark; a brilliant jokester; and above all a proud Nebraskan.

Bea cherished entertaining and spending time with family, hosting countless gatherings over delicious meals and an abundance of sweet treats. She loved expressing her creativity through baking, crafting, and storytelling. She had an extraordinary memory for family facts and events as well as an expansive knowledge of US history- especially Nebraska. She loved to share it with younger generations, instilling in them a respect and understanding of the importance of knowing where we come from and how things came to be.

She will always be remembered for her vibrant smile, steely blue eyes, and quick wit. Not only could she tell a joke, but she taught us how to take a joke, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously. Her energy and enthusiasm were positively infectious.

Her 62-year marriage to Dwight served as an exemplary example of a true partnership and will stand as one of the greatest loves ever known.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the youth programs of the United Methodist Church of Ogallala.

A celebration of Bea’s life will be held on Saturday, January 4 at 10:00 am at the United Methodist Church in Ogallala with Rev. Curt Magelky officiating, where friends and family can come together to honor and remember her.

Online condolences may be sent by going to www.drauckerfh.com .

Services will be live-streamed and can be watched by visiting www.drauckerfh.com and clicking the watch live button.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.