Beulah Constance Clements, 91, of Cashton died Dec. 31, 2013, at Bland Bekkedal Hospice Center in Viroqua.
Beulah Swanson was born to Clarence W. and Cora A. (Monson) Swanson on Dec. 13, 1922, in Cashton. She graduated from Cashton High School in 1939 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from La Crosse State Teachers College in 1944, after which she taught third grade in Galesville for one year. On June 2, 1945, Beulah married John E. Clements, Jr., son of John and Katherine (Smeenk) Clements of Portland. He preceded her in death June 17, 2003.
Beulah continued a line of strong women in the field of education dating back to the early 1900s, including her aunts, her sister, her cousins, her daughters and her granddaughters. Going hand-in-glove with her teaching, Beulah and music were inseparable; it was the language of her spirit that she taught to each of her children from their earliest years and that continues through four generations.
Beulah is survived by her five children, Cathleen (David Preminger) of New York City, Jane of St. Croix Falls, Wis.; John Robert (Barbara Hutchison) of Cashton, James of Neenah, Wis., and Christine (William Drago, III) of Stoughton, Wis. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Leif Johnson; Heather (Kyle) Benson and Heidi Cox; Aimee (Kepler) Davis and Rebecca Clements; John Craig, Ana and Cassandra Clements; and William, VI, Johannah and Rachael Drago; and seven great-grandchildren: Cade, Luke and Maia Benson; William, Katherine and Andrew Davis; and Teagan Cox. Beulah also leaves her sister, Beverly Swanson of Milwaukee, and one sister-in-law, Marian Johnson of La Crosse.
She was preceded in death by John; her parents; and two grandchildren, Hayley and Hannah Drago.
Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cashton. A visitation for family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Cashton. Visitation also will be held Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Pastor Amanda Schultz will officiate. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or Bethel Foundation – Maplewood. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Cashton is assisting the family with arrangements.
Beulah’s family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Maplewood Terrace, whose kindness, warmth and care meant so much to her and to her grateful family.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
