Beatrice "Lou" Vandeveer

November 5, 1932 ~ June 27, 2023
Beatrice "Lou" Vandeveer was born on November 5, 1932 in Lutts, Tennessee. The eldest of eleven children, she spent her childhood raising cotton and winning spelling bees. On Saturday evenings, she enjoyed listening to "The Grand Ole Opry" live from Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on her old battery-driven radio. She later had the joy of attending the Opry and hearing some of her favorite country artists.Lou graduated in 1952 from Collinwood Tennessee High School. She then moved to Malden, Missouri where she met the handsome, red-haired United States Air Force Staff Sargent, Richard Vandeveer. They had a long courtship of three months before being married on the first day of Spring, March 20, 1953. Their life-giving marriage would last for seventy years.They moved to Medicine Lodge, Kansas in 1954 before finally settling in Wichita. Beatrice was a true hands-on wife and mother and enjoyed raising their three daughters and participating in Girl Scouts, dance, piano, and swim lessons, Room Mother, Hot Lunch Volunteer, field trips and a multitude of performing arts programs.Beatrice, a strong advocate of education, began her own advanced college journey at Wichita State University, earning a Master's Degree in History and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy.She loved to beat Rich at tennis and also participate in family badminton tournaments. Lou was an avid Kentucky Derby fan insisting that the household stop the first Saturday of each May to watch the big horse race. Being a big WSU Shocker basketball fan, her family learned from her, "Once a Shocker, Always a Shocker!" Collecting stamps, coins, and baseball cards was a favorite hobby. Beatrice loved the album, "Elvis Live From Graceland" and anything Gordon Lightfoot.Lou truly loved her Catholic faith, its beliefs and traditions. She considered attending Holy Mass every Sunday to be a true gift.One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren. She was a positive influence on them in many areas of their lives. Above all else, her love for her family and commitment to putting them first was evident in all aspects of her life.Beatrice passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.She is survived by her loving husband, Richard; daughters Pamela Heath, Mary Goevert (Dan) and Diane Gruhle (Mike); five sisters, four grandsons and three granddaughters.She was preceded in death by three sisters, two brothers, and one grandson.Viewing will be from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm, Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Rosary will be at 9:30 am; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Graveside Service will follow at 3:00 at Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge.A memorial has been established with: Shocker Fund for The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of History c/o Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement, 1845 Fairmount St. Wichita, KS 67260-0002.Rest in peace, dear sweet wife and mother!
Mrs. Vandeveer was one of the moms I remember from attending Blessed Sacrament with Pam. She was always so positive, patient and kind. And she had the best smile! Sorry for your loss of this wonderful lady. Dee (Foster) Marsh