Beatrice “Bea” Markus beloved Mother, Grandmother, Auntie, “GGB”, and Friend, went to her heavenly home on April 18, 2024 while surrounded by her daughters, her caretaker, her son-in-law, and her cat “Joey.” Bea was 92 years old. She is survived by her children James (Pat) Markus, Katey (Rick) Lee, and Connie (Jerry) Meyer. She joins her two other sons, William Markus and Frank Markus in Heaven.

Bea was know as “Auntie Bea” by many neighborhood kids; she always had a yard full of children who, even though were not blood related, felt like part of the family. Bea can be remembered for her beautiful artwork, her chicken noodle soup, her love of yellow flowers, especially daisies, and her lifelong journey to share her belief in Christ.

Her spiritual life was rich and devoted. Bea leaves this earth with a straight path to Heaven, believing with all her heart in Jesus Christ, spreading his word and living his mission during her time here on Earth. Still with all that she did, Bea leaves the greatest legacy of a life filled with the love of Jesus. She was a member of Immanuel Church in Gurnee, Illinois for over 50 years. She was loved by many because of her bright smile, her kind heart, and her contagious love for Jesus.

Throughout her life, Bea found beauty in the world around her. She would often pull her car over to take pictures of old barns and natural scenery to draw or paint! In the years before taking pictures with cell phones, Bea carried a disposable camera  in her car to capture images of God’s creations. She could be found admiring “Queen Anne’s lace” on the side of the roads, and old barns on roads less traveled. Bea was a gifted artist and used her skills in her jobs at Welton’s County Market Grocery Store and most importantly making countless art projects with her children and grandchildren. She would often draw silly pictures of faces and bumblebees in the cards that she loved to send. Bea was also talented in her cooking abilities too. She thought nothing of sharing a simple home cooked meal to brighten the day of a neighbor or a friend.

She will be remembered by her ten grandchildren, Rebecca Mace, Sarah (Adam) Pickert, Aaron Markus, Jennifer Markus, Lauren (Adam) Scanian, Brittney (Sebastian) Gniedziejko, Ricky Lee, Ryan Lee, Cameron Markus and Mason Markus. She loved her great grandchildren, and will be missed by Ashley, Emily and AJ Mace, Audrey and Robert Pickert, Abigail, Arthur, Max and Ellie Scanian, and Franklin Gnieziejko. She will also dearly be missed by her close friend Coke Pittman.

A celebration of life will be held on July 20, 2024. More details to follow. Please wear bright colors, exactly as Bea wanted, and celebrate her beautiful life.

To remember Bea, consider pulling over to take a picture of beautiful scenery. Cook chicken soup. Enjoy picking a daisy or a yellow flower. Notice a bumblebee. Sit and watch bread rise. And when all else fails… pray. “As God takes care of every detail in our lives.” Believe beyond what your eyes can see and signs from Heaven will show up to remind us that Love never dies. Bea reminded us of that every day.