Beatrice Irene Bruhl

Beatrice Bruhl died on September 14, 2026, at age 85. Beatrice lived in Kansas City. Born to Peter and Helena on June 30, 1941, Beatrice spent her early childhood in the Netherlands before moving to San Francisco, California, at the age of seven. One of ten children, she grew up in a warm, frugal, and faith-filled home. She became a proud US citizen in 1955 and later graduated from Carlmont High School.

Throughout her life, Beatrice’s steady faith and devotion shaped the way she lived and cared for others. She worked as a secretary after high school. After relocating to Missouri with her first husband, Shelby, she continued her work as a secretary while also helping support the family farm with bookkeeping and preparing meals for the farm laborers. In midlife, answering a call to serve more directly, she returned to school to become a licensed practical nurse. In hospitals and nursing homes, she offered help with a generous spirit, bringing comfort and dignity to those in her care.

Beatrice was the loving mother of three daughters from her first marriage. In 1998, she met her second husband, Terry, through square dancing; they married in 2001. Together, they lived in San Jose, California, and traveled the world. Among those journeys, her favorite was returning to her childhood homeland in the Netherlands—a homecoming that held deep meaning for her.

In quieter moments, Beatrice found strength and peace in reading, prayer, and music. Her faith remained central throughout her life, expressed not only privately but also through dedicated service. She was a eucharistic minister and a member of the altar society at Holy Family Catholic Church in San Jose, where she gave of herself with steadfast reverence and care. In her final years, after she relocated to Kansas City, she was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Gladstone.

Beatrice was preceded in passing by her husband Terry; two daughters, Regina and Ramona; her parents; four siblings, Herman, Helena, Polly, and Pete; and son-in-law Steve.

Beatrice is survived by her daughter Rebecca (Stuart); stepdaughter Joyce; five siblings, Corrie (Larry), Joanne, Audrey, Effie (John), Clem (Linda); grandchildren Christopher (Kennedy) and Kathryn (Tyler); step-grandchildren Tiffany, Joshua, Christie; great-grandchildren Addison and Everett; and step-great-grandchildren Kayden, Noah, Caitlyn, Jace, and Aly.

The family would like to thank the staff of Wexford Place Assisted Living and Ascend Hospice for their care in Beatrice's final few months. They would also like to thank Primrose Retirement Community for the many great years of friendship, community, and hospitality.