Obituary of Beatrice Ruth Hannula

May 21, 1925 – August 31, 2019

Beatrice R. Hannula. Age 94 of Southgate.

Beloved wife of the late William.  Loving mother of the Late Gayle Michener, the Late William and the Late Wayne.  Dearest grandmother of Hillary (Steven) Deleszek.  Dear sister of Marguerite Peacock and Jeanne Serruys.  Also survived by 2 great grandchildren. 

Family Tribute

Beatrice Ruth (Serruys) Hannula (Queen Bee) was born May 21, 1925, in Grosse Pointe Park (Wayne County), Michigan to Gilbert and Sarah Helen Serruys, the first of four children.  She passed away on August 31, 2019, at the age of 94.

During much of her early childhood, the family moved within Michigan, to Pennsylvania and Canada as her father sought employment.  She remembers attending eight elementary schools.  Eventually, the family settled in Detroit where her father worked in the automotive industry.  Her mother eventually returned to school and then worked in the nursing field.

Bea graduated from Detroit Pershing High School in January 1942 and attended classes at Wayne State University.  She first worked in retail and then during World War II on the line in a machine shop in Detroit.  She found employment as a keypunch operator at the Detroit Edison Company where she met her future husband, William Anthony Hannula.  At that time family members could not be employed in the same work unit, so she found a job in a similar position in a Detroit trucking company.  In 1967 she began working at the E.W. Smith Insurance Agency in Wyandotte, rising to an office supervisor position before her retirement in 1987.  Her husband remained at Detroit Edison until his retirement.  They remained living in their downriver home in Southgate for more than 60 years.

On September 10, 1949, Bea and Bill were married.  They were blessed with three children, Gayle, Wayne, and William.  The family often went camping and traveled to many places in the United States.  After their retirement, Bea and Bill traveled to numerous countries throughout the world while their health allowed.

Sadly, her husband, Bill, died October 11, 2012, after their 63rd wedding anniversary.  Their three children also predeceased Bea--William (6/14/1992), Wayne (7/10/1996), and Gayle Michener (7/23/2013).  Bea’s parents and brother, Robert Serruys, also passed away.

During her lifetime, Bea was an accomplished seamstress and a member of the Sewing Guild.  She was a Girl Scout leader.  She also sang with the River Raisin Chorus of Sweet Adelines, traveling to competitions throughout the country.  No one who had the pleasure of seeing it could forget Bea’s sultry rendition of Hard Hearted Hannah complete in bright red dress with beads twirling.

Bea’s memory is cherished by her granddaughter Hillary (Steve) Deleszek and two great-grandchildren, Elodie and Preston, of Southgate, Michigan. Her two sisters, Marguerite (Melvin) Peacock of New Baltimore, Michigan and Jeanne Serruys of Hamtramck, Michigan, her son-in-law, Mark Michiner, of Plymouth Michigan survive as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She is also remembered by her friends from Glenwood United Methodist Church and the First Methodist Church of Wyandotte, and special friend, Raquel Aguirre.

The family wishes to thank the loving staff at Nana’s Place in Taylor for their help in making the last years of her life pleasant.  At the very end Heart to Heart Hospice helped to ease her way.  She always had a special thanks for Hospice of Michigan for the care they provided at the time of her husband’s and sons’ deaths as well.

Those who wish may make donations to Hospice of Michigan, the First United Methodist Church of Wyandotte or a charity of their choice.