Beatrice (Bea) L Almquist

Beatrice (Bea) L. Almquist (92) of Moline, Ill., died on January 9, 2021, at home, surrounded by her children.  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at Homewood Church, 3303 60th St., Moline.  Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Moline.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday January 12, 2021, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, 6601 38th Ave., Moline.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing guidelines will be followed, and masks will be required in the funeral home and at church.  Bea was born on November 30, 1928, the fifth child of Henry & Sarah (Frye) Jennings in Sterling, Ill. She graduated from Moline High School in 1946. Bea was employed as a switch board operator in the Clock Tower at the Army Corps of Engineer s, the Rock Island Arsenal. On March 10, 1951, she married the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, Donald G. Almquist. Bea always spoke of “my darling Don.” Don would periodically sing aloud to her, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” They enjoyed the arts and watching sports, and they traveled the world. Most importantly, they thrived on being together and with their family. Bea and Don made it a priority to be present at their children’s, then their grandchildren’s activities. Bea was a homemaker. She had a wonderful gift to create beauty and to prepare a feast for any occasion. Entertaining was one of her passions, as was gardening. In later life, Bea owned Archer’s Young Villager in the Village of East Davenport, a specialty shop for children’s clothing and toys. Bea was an active Charter Member of Homewood Church, Moline, and in earlier days loved to sing in the choir and in trios. Her commitment to her faith was the foundation of her life. Bea was a long-time member of the Tri-City Garden Club. She is survived by her son, the Rev. Curtis Almquist of Cambridge, Mass., daughter Cynthia Kennedy (Michael) of Davenport, Ia., thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and a sister, Thelma Meneses of McAllen, Tex. Bea was predeceased by her beloved husband of 69 years, Donald, and sons Kevan and Kyle. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Society of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, Mass.