Norma Beart

Norma Beart, age 90, of Elgin, passed away quietly into the arms of her Savior, Thursday, July 14, 2016, at Northwoods Care Centre, Belvidere, IL, where she had recently made her home.
She was born September 21, 1925 the daughter of Henry and Ida (Thies) Richert in Schaumburg, IL. Although her family moved often during her childhood, Norma grew up in the Elgin area where she attended local schools.
Norma was united in marriage to Leonard Beart on March 13, 1943. It was a momentous occasion not only for Norma and Leonard, but also for Norma’s brother Lavern Richert and his wife Betty in a double wedding. They began their new life together in Elgin where they started a family of their own. In 1963, they moved to rural Elgin until 1991 when they moved to Medford, WI, making the house a home for the next 12 years. In 2002, shortly after Leonard’s passing, Norma moved back to the Elgin area to be near her family.
Norma stayed home to raise her three children before going to work for Motorola and McGraw Edison for ten years. She then became well known as a person who cared for and babysat many neighborhood children.
She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 5729 since 1971 and was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burlington, IL.
When Norma put down her tools, folded her apron and entered into retirement, she kept herself busy playing bingo and cards, along with dancing and the occasional trip to the casino.
She is survived by her children: Donna (Martin) Boor and Thomas (Dianne) Beart; one daughter-in-law, Denise (Bob) Eschbach; five grandchildren: Denise (Steve) Becker, Karen Washburn, Thomas Beart, Mandie (Will) Hand and Heather Kusk ; one granddaughter-in-law, Debbie Boor; nine great-grandchildren: Allison, Sara and Michelle Becker, Josh Stewart, Justin, and Jennifer Boor, and Amberleigh Lombardo, Abigayle Washburn, and Tristan Beart; one brother, Lavern Richert; one sister-in-law, Donna Penkala; one special former grandson-in-law, Ken Washburn, and several nieces and nephews and a community of friends, including a life-long friend, Jessie Peters.
She is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Beart, her parents, Henry and Ida Richert; three siblings: Harvey Richert, Evelyn (Henry) Rohrssen and Gladys (Norman) Lieberg; two additional brothers who died in infancy, one son Ricky Lee Beart, one grandson, David Boor and one sister-in-law, Betty Richert.
Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 2016, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Rd., Hampshire, IL. A funeral service to celebrate her faith will be Monday, July 18, 2016, at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m.., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Rd., Burlington, IL, with interment to follow at the Lakewood Memorial Park, Elgin.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Norma’s name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Norma Beart Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page or at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral service to celebrate her faith will be Monday, July 18, 2016, at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m.., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Rd., Burlington, IL, with interment to follow at the Lakewood Memorial Park, Elgin.

Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 2016, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 13N535 French Rd., Hampshire, IL.