Beatrice Virginia Davis

Beatrice "Bea" Virginia Davis, 90 of Mahtowa died Friday, May 18, 2012 in Augustana Mercy Health Care Center in Moose Lake. She was born June 5, 1921 in Mahtowa to Emil and Aagot (Thoresen) Thelin. Bea grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in 1939. While in high school, Bea was very athletic, playing basketball, softball, and gymnastics. On August 29, 1942 she married her high school sweetheart, Duane "Dewey" Davis in San Francisco, Calif. After Dewey's discharge from the service, they made their home in St. Paul. In 1952 they moved to Arlington Heights, Illinois. After Dewey's retirement they moved to Durham, North Carolina to be closer to their daughter, Merikay. In 1987 Bea and Dewey moved to Mahtowa where they had previously purchased their home on Park Lake. Bea was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Mahtowa. She was an avid sports fan; particularly watching Michael Jordan in basketball and Tiger Woods in golf. She also enjoyed bowling and fishing. Beatrice was preceded in death by her son, Duane "Dick" Davis and a grandson, Evan Garrett; four brothers, Frank, Reuben, David and Arthur Thelin; and two sisters, Ruth Rydberg and Katharine Arver. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Dewey; son, Gary Davis of Texas; and daughter, Merikay Garrett of Mahtowa; one sister, Dorothy LaChapelle of Brook Park, Minn.; five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 in Salem Lutheran Church in Mahtowa. Burial was in Mount Salem Cemetery in Mahtowa. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet.