BEATRICE "BEA" LORETTA KORN

Beatrice “Bea” Loretta Carlson Lanan Korn passed away on April 11, 2023, in Dekalb, Illinois at the age of 101 years and 10 months…it was a life well lived.   She was born on June 6, 1921, in Sycamore, Illinois, to loving parents, August and Anna Carlson, and was the youngest of eight children. Bea was a beloved mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of the Lord, attending St Mary’s Catholic Church in DeKalb and All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa, Arizona.

Bea is survived by her loving sons, Bernard “Bud” Lanan (wife, Doctor Vivian Van Roekel and their daughter, Meredith Lanan) and Jerel Lanan (wife, Kathryn Lanan and daughters, BK Power and Karley Lanan Power) and her nephew Robert Carlson (wife Jacqueline and great-niece Trisha).  She was also a devoted mother to her late daughter, Patricia Morton who passed away on November 11, 2022 (husband, Luke Morton, who passed away on December 25, 2021).

Bea was also fondly known as “Bebo” and “Mamo” to her family. She was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young. Bea raised her three children with love, care, and unwavering dedication. She encouraged them in their education and career choices and often told anyone who would listen how proud she was of them!

At other times in her life, it might have been her smiling face that greeted you at Greenacres Dry Cleaning in DeKalb, Illinois, or maybe you remember her in the Northern Illinois University Bookstore or helping her friends Harry & Helen Dietrich cater weddings but you probably didn’t know that she worked at the Wurlitzer Factory during WW2 that had been converted to build a secret glider missile, the pre-cursor to drones. More fitting to her sweet personality, however, was being a Candy Striper during the war.

She loved to tell the stories of her childhood, especially that she lived in town but had to walk almost a mile to school, which was out in the country in a one room schoolhouse. Getting an education was important and she ultimately graduated from Sycamore High school in 1940.

She loved the children’s father, Francis “Fran” Bernard Lanan deeply. They married on June 29, 1946, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in DeKalb, Illinois. She missed him terribly after his death on September 19, 1978, but her faith kept her strong and she eventually remarried Richard “Dick” Korn on October 5, 1985, at St. Catherine’s in Genoa, Illinois.

Bea loved to travel, and she and Dick enjoyed spending winters in Arizona, where they created many memories together, enjoying the warm weather and various activities, such as playing cards, oil painting, ceramics classes and roaming the giant flea market, while making new friendships.

Bea always made time for her family, and her love and presence were cherished by her children and grandchildren. She had a wonderful sense of humor that brought joy and laughter to those around her. She was known for her kind heart, her generosity, and her willingness to help others.

In her free time, Bea enjoyed shopping and had a keen eye for fashion. She never felt fully dressed without her earrings and other accessories. She had a refined taste and enjoyed keeping up with the latest trends. Her sense of style and grace were admired by many.

Bea's sense of humor, warm presence, and unwavering love for her family and friends will be greatly missed. Her legacy will live on in the cherished memories of her loved ones.

A visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 S. 4th Street, DeKalb, IL  60115, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Sycamore. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St Mary's Church, in care of Anderson Funeral Home, PO Box 605, DeKalb, IL 60115.

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