Beatrice Mae Rauen

Beatrice Mae Rauen

Beatrice Mae (Brostrom) Rauen passed away on September 21, 2025 surrounded by family, from complications of Congestive Heart Failure, leaving a void in our hearts.  She lived her life with kindness, grace, love of family and friends, and gratitude for the many varied and wonderful experiences of her long life.

She was born in Renton, WA in 1928 to Wilbur “Buster” and Aina Brostrom.  Her first few years were spent in Douglas, AK.  Her mother died just after her fourth birthday.  When not with her father, she and her sister Berdena lived with her grandmother in Anacortes and aunts and uncles in Seattle and Mt. Vernon.  These early experiences taught her to be stoic, flexible, and resilient.  We called her “low maintenance Bea” because she was sweet, cheerful, rarely complained, always up for a new adventure, and never let health issues define her.

She graduated from Anacortes High School and attended Seattle University. She met Jim Rauen while they were both students at Seattle U at a dance at St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill.  They were married for 73 years until his death in 2022.  She embraced her role of mother, guided by her love for her children, strong faith, and fierce loyalty.  She took special joy in motherhood, striving to set a wonderful example, providing guidance, and creating a loving home.  Many memories were created at the dinner table, especially holidays with Bowns and Burgett cousins.  One of her greatest pleasures was holding her new grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It brought her so much joy to hold her newest great-grandson in her final week.

She was preceded in death by her sister Berdena, husband Jim, sons Michael, John, and Tim, granddaughters Angela Rauen and Betsy Arntz, and daughter-in-law’s Diana and Sandy Rauen.  She is survived by her children Josie Arntz (Craig), Mary K Koon (Tom), Jerome (Debbie), Thomas (Deena), David (Pe Nhing), Trissa Hodapp (Nick) and daughter-in-law’s Tiffany and Chris Rauen, twenty grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

At Anacortes High School she was a student body officer, queen of her senior class, honor society member, lead in class plays, and member of several teams and clubs.  She made life-long friends she cherished and enjoyed their class reunions.

She converted to Catholicism as 10-year-old, inspired by time spent with the family of her classmate, Fr. Jack O’Leary, S.J.  It provided her north star, a structure, values, and a philosophy she embraced.  Early in their marriage, while Jim was teaching in Des Moines, they were members of St. Philomena’s.  They worked to help raise money for the new church by holding pancake breakfasts and salmon dinners.  Raising Catholic children was one of her highest priorities, educating them at St. Joseph’s, Seattle Prep, Forest Ridge, Holy Names, O’Dea, and St. Mary’s of the Valley in Beaverton. She was always willing to help with various school activities and fundraisers.  She served as an Eucharistic minister, both at church and taking communion to the elderly.  She made lifelong friends among the other mothers and women of the parishes she belonged to.

Bea was an accomplished seamstress and knitter, making her own clothes and clothes for her children and grandchildren, as well as quilts and home decorations.  She had a flair for color and style.  Her happy place was in the garden, growing flowers, fruits, and vegetables.  She was famous for her cookies and cinnamon rolls.  She LOVED ice cream, right up to the end.  It was one of the things that brought a smile to her face in her final days.

She was bright, inquisitive, and adaptable. As her sight was failing, she continued to use her Mac to pursue genealogy, stay in touch with family and friends, and to learn.  She was a voracious reader, loving fiction and nonfiction. She took French lessons when offered to parents at Holy Names and endeavored to teach herself Swedish. She was bright, inquisitive and adaptable. As her sight was failing, she continued to use her Mac to pursue genealogy, stay in touch with family and friends and as a learning tool.  She was a voracious reader, loving fiction and nonfiction. She took French lessons when offered to parents at Holy Names and later tried to teach herself Swedish.  She started cross country skiing in her 80’s and skied up at the pass and in the Methow Valley. She was an early adopter of technology.  Before the internet, she was using a modem and list serve to do research, email and coursework.

She was a favorite of the staff at her assisted living, making friends and enjoying the activities they offered.

A funeral mass will be held October 17, at 1:00pm at St. Philomena’s in Des Moines, WA with interment at Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Holy Names Academy Betsy Arntz ’99 Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be sent to Holy Names Academy ( 728 21^st Ave E Seattle, WA 98112) Attn: Advancement Office. Or, you may give online by clicking here. In the “I want to support” box, select  “HNA Named Scholarship Endowment” from the drop-down menu. Then type Betsy Arntz ’99 Memorial Scholarship in the comment box below.