Beatrice "Bea" Devereaux

Beatrice "Bea" Devereaux, age 90 of Litchfield, passed away at Lakeside Generations Nursing Home in Dassel, MN on Thursday, August 8, 2024. A funeral service for Bea will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 2:00PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Monday, August 12 and continue 1 hour prior to the service, also at the church. 

Beatrice Helen Devereaux was born to Arthur N. and Hattie B. (Thompson) Leines on January 15th, 1934 in Willmar, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Vinje Lutheran Church. She attended Atwater and Willmar Public Schools graduating in 1952. Bea began piano lessons at the age of 6, and pipe organ lessons at Vinje as a Freshman in High School. She was the accompanist for many soloists and groups beginning as a 4th grade student.

Bea began College life at Augsburg. She sang in the Augsburg College Choir directed by Dr. Leland Sateren. She transferred to St. Olaf College as a sophomore and completed her education there in 1956. Bea was a member of the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of Dr. Olaf C. Christiansen. They sang at the funeral of Dr. F. Melius Christiansen, as well as a trip to Norway, Sweden, and Germany the summer of 1955.

Bea began teaching Vocal Music at Litchfield Public Schools in the Fall of 1956. She taught in all levels from High School, Elementary, and Middle School, ending at the Senior High School, completing 25+ years in the field of education, all at Litchfield. She was accompanist for many contest soloists, vocal and instrumental, during her teaching career.

She was married to Robert M. Devereaux at Vinje Lutheran Church on December 19, 1959 during the Christmas vacation. They had two sons, Mark Robert in 1962 and Michael Richard in 1965.

Bea held several offices including Circuit Luther League President, Conference American Lutheran Church Women’s President from 1964 to 1968, as well as GFWC Women’s Study Club of Litchfield President from 2000-2002, 2008-2010 and 2014-2018. She also served as piano accompanist for the Litchfield Choralaires under the direction of Norma Snelling.

Bea began as Organist at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield to “fill in” for a couple of weeks. She continued in that position from the 3rd Sunday of August, 1965 to the last Sunday of August, 2023 completing 58 years. In that time, she played for the 100th Anniversary ending with the 150th Anniversary of the Church. She also served as the Senior Choir Director, and Hand Bell Choir Director for many of those years.

 She is survived by her two sons, Mark and wife Susan of Hutchinson and Michael of Litchfield, by Sister-in-Law Jan of Lawrence, Kansas, and by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Arthur N Leines in 1977, her mother Hattie B. Leines in 1993, her brother Richard N. Leines in 2023, and her beloved husband Robert M Devereaux on August 15th 2017.

Blessed be the Memory of Beatrice Helen Devereaux.

In lieu of Flowers, Memorials are preferred to the Music Departments of Zion Lutheran Church or First Lutheran Church both of Litchfield, or a Musical Group of your choice.