Ferron, Beatrice age 98, of Minnetonka, died August 9 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, Aug. 17 with a visitation starting 1 hr. prior at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church-St. John Campus, 6 Interlachen Rd., Hopkins. Bea was born October 18, 1918, in Hibbing, to Otto and Agnes (Forsberg) Frederick. She graduated from Hibbing High School in 1936, attended St. Olaf College in Northfield for two years, transferred to the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1942 with a degree in physical education. She wanted to get into the war effort and was accepted in a program at the Bushnell General Military Hospital in Brigham City, Utah where she trained as a physical therapist, treating amputees and soldiers with nerve injuries. This experience made her a highly qualified asset in the budding field of physical therapy. She returned to Minnesota after the war and was hired at then Minneapolis General Hospital by Miland Knapp, the physician who founded the hospital's physical medicine department. She worked closely with this pioneer in the field; when she moved to the San Francisco bay area in 1947, she was hired at Mare Island Naval Hospital to direct efforts to improve treatment of war injuries in accordance with emerging knowledge. During this time she met Richard (Dick) Ferron, whom she married in 1948 in Oakland, California. They decided to settle in Bea's home state. They raised four children in Minneapolis and the western suburbs. Avid golfers, both were active for many years at Lafayette Country Club. Dick died in 1986. Bea lived the rest of her life in the last home they shared, devoting herself to family and friends. Her caring, generous nature touched many lives. She was a devout Catholic. Throughout her life Bea loved the outdoors. She told many stories of fishing and hunting with her father, mother, and siblings in northern Minnesota. As an adult she pursued alpine and nordic skiing, and enjoyed fishing expeditions with her children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Oliver and her grandson Nathan Westfall. She is survived by her children, Sally (Don) Westfall, Fred (Sue) Ferron, Susan Ferron (David Stephens), and Elizabeth Ferron (Jody Feingold); grandchildren Philip (Katie) Westfall, Sarah Stephens and Angela Ferron Feingold; and great-grandchildren Amelie and Zara Westfall. She also is survived by her sister Betty Anderson. Lunch will be served following Mass. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. Washburn-McReavy.com Northeast Chapel 612-781-6828