Beatrice "Bea" DeFrance

Beatrice Maxine (Leraas) DeFrance, 85, passed away peacefully at the Barrett Care Center on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. She was born on November 14, 1935 and grew up on a farm in Lien Township with her parents Olaf and Alice (Thompson) Leraas, and siblings Monroe, Doris, and Charles. She graduated from Barrett High School and Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and taught elementary classes in Cambridge, Duluth and Barrett, MN.

In June 1958, Beatrice married Dayle DeFrance. They raised five children, Craig, Brenda, twins Carla and Nathan, and Daniel.

Beatrice was an active church member and enjoyed making quilts with her many friends at Peace Church in Barrett. She liked traveling and enjoyed the beauty of the many places they saw, including an Alaska Cruise and many trips up Minnesota’s North Shore and countless other places.

She is survived by her husband, Dayle, and four children, Craig, Brenda (Paul Rozycki), Carla (Charles Crosby) and Nathan; daughter-in-law, Molly DeFrance; eight grandchildren, Mason, Landon, Sage, River, Leif, Jacqueline, Doug and Sarah, and two great-grandchildren, Devin and Josephine. She is preceded in death by her parents, son Daniel and brother, Charles.

Funeral Service: 11:00AM Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Peace Lutheran Church, Barrett with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Clergy: Rev Denise Croskey

Interment: Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Barrett

Online condolences: www.EricksonSmithFH.com