Mildred "Bea" Beatrice Schlote

Bea was born on July 11, 1925 in Concordia, Kansas to Joseph and Mary (Pfouts) Reed.

Growing up as the middle of three daughters she was very close to her sisters Cora Scott and Josephine Reed. Bea married the love of her life Robert Gallagher on October 24, 1942 and graduated from East High School in Denver, Colorado in May of 1943. Bea and Robert moved to their farm in Calhan, Co. to be near the large Gallagher family, whom Bea loved dearly and would fondly reminisce of her many memories of them.

She gave birth to the first of her four daughters Barbara Jeanne on October 7, 1945, and her second daughter Patricia Victoria on August 31, 1948. After losing Robert suddenly in 1959, she returned to school graduating as a Registered Nurse and continued her education to become a Nurse Practitioner.

On January 5, 1961 she married William (Bill) Schlote and had two more daughters, Gwendolyn Renee on October 6, 1961 and Deborah Joy on April 4, 1964. Bill passed away in 1991 after 30 yrs of marriage.

After working many years in Denver area hospitals, she finished her career at the VA Hospital in Denver after 42 years of nursing. She always took great pride in her accomplishments, even going as far as to keep her nursing license current to the age of 95. As her career was nearly complete, she married a special patient of hers, Jack Hawkins of Enid, Oklahoma.

In 1997, Bea moved to Loveland, Co. to be closer to her sisters Jo and Dev. As a Christian, worship and Sunday services were important to her and brought her joy. In Loveland she Joined Celebration Church and made many great friends, holding dearly her friendship with Pastor Jim Tracy.

She loved to travel especially taking road trips in her RV with Bill to much of the US and traveling with Jack where the two were able to learn and experience things with each other at a slower pace. In her later years, she would take frequent bus trips to Montana, to visit Debbie and making many friends along the way as she never met a stranger. In the summer of 2009, at the age of 84, she made her lifelong dream of traveling to Ireland a reality with Patricia. Spending time with family was the highlight of her life and she loved her grandchildren dearly. In 2018, she was proud to welcome a great-great-grandson, making her the matriarch of five generations.

She is survived by two daughters Patricia (Gary)Gallagher Gibbs and Deborah (Steve) Hofland; and her son-in-law Donnie Pittsinger. Five grandchildren Robert Gallagher Gibbs, Shalyn Becker, Christopher Hofland, Candice (Josh) LeBoutillier, and B’linda Hofland. Four great grandchildren Monique Becker, Alexandra Becker, Eben Hofland, and Olivia LeBoutillier. One great-great-grandson Alexandar . Niece Mary Ann Olinger, Nephew Joseph Scott, and numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Cora Scott, Josephine Reed and Muriel Devereaux, two daughters Barbara Pittsinger and Gwendolyn Guernsey, and her husbands Robert Gallagher, Bill Schlote, and Jack Hawkins.