Beatrice 'Bea' Nervig

Beatrice ""Bea"" Nervig, age 90, of Northfield, formerly of Litchfield died on Friday, October 12, 2012, at the NRC Parkview Suites in Northfield. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at 11:00 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral home, and one hour prior to the service at Zion church. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery. Beatrice Grace Sweeney, the daughter of Edward and Mildred (Seith) Sweeney, born in Northfield, MN on December 21, 1921. She grew up with her (4) sisters in Northfield, and received her education there. Bea began her lifelong devotion to the care of others with employment at nursing homes in both Northfield and Minneapolis. She moved to Litchfield in the 40's to help her sister Ruth and husband, Alden Bye with their family business. The ""Bye-Way"" restaurant was out on West Hwy.12, where Bea once foiled an attempted robbery. In addition, she helped care for her cherished nieces and nephew. Bea briefly worked at the Litchfield Produce Company where she made many lifelong Litchfield friends. Having a strong independent nature, she moved back to Minneapolis in the 50's. Service during wartime called her to find work making bullets at the ammunitions facility in Minneapolis. Eventually, she again found work as a nurse's aide. Bea met Leo Nervig where they both worked as caregivers. On June 10, 1955, they were married at the Northfield Moravian Church. They made their home in Minneapolis with their daughter, Nancy. Bea and Leo later divorced and he passed away in 1981. In 1968, she was severely injured in an auto accident and spent a long and difficult time healing. Left partially disabled, she and Nancy relocated to Litchfield. Bea was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she volunteered countless hours of service. More volunteer time was spent at the Litchfield Senior Dining Facility and she provided child care to some very special local families. More recently, Bea lived at Lincoln Apartments for (14) years. While at Lincoln, she played a daily game of pool with friends and usually had a good joke to share. She also enjoyed music and dabbled at the piano. Alzheimer's disease took hold, and Bea moved to the Bethany Home, where she was a constant fixture at the south door and greeted everyone with a friendly nod. She very much enjoyed her care givers and friends at the Bethany and probably holds the record for coffee and peanut butter intake. During the recent Bethany Home renovation, Bea moved to the Northfield Retirement Center and lived at the Park View Suites. Lucky to have relatively good health all her years, she kept active with daily walks. However, Alzheimer's advanced very quickly over the last year. Bea died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, October 12, 2012. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy and her husband Bob Kroth of Edina, MN, sisters, Lucille ""Sweeney"" Sohns of Sister Bay, WI, and Ruth Bye of Redwood Falls, MN. Also survived by niece Sandra (Bye) Schrank of Redwood Falls, nephews, Arnie and David Sohns and many very special great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Margaret Sweeney, Mary ""Bunny"" Keeler, nieces, Ruth Ann Hanssen, Beverly Blaha and nephew James Bye. Blessed is her memory.Previous Events Visitation Friday, October 19, 2012 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Saturday, October 20, 2012 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Saturday, October 20, 2012 11:45 AM Riplely Cemetery 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355