It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Beatrice Crouse on Thursday, December 21, 2017, at the age of 84 years.

Bea was born on the family farm on October 8, 1933, near Denzil, SK to Anton and Katie Freson. Beatrice moved to Calgary and roomed with her friend Tilly, who convinced her to go on a blind date where she met her future husband and love of her life Melvin Crouse. In Calgary, they had three children: Karen, Charlotte and Mervin. In 1962, Mel and Bea moved their family to Grande Prairie, where Yvonne and Dwight were born.

Beatrice had a path in life toward the cleaning business. She worked as a chambermaid at a local hotel and laundry at the Grande Prairie Hospital. Bea eventually found a job at One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaners as a presser. She later had an opportunity to purchase the business with her husband and became the proud founder and owner operator of her first dry cleaning business and coin laundry. Over the years, this business became Crouse’s Cleaners.

Bea had a passion for sports and a competitive nature which she passed on to her children. Bea loved playing cards with a gathering of family and friends. She was a member of the duplicate bridge club for over 50 years. Prime rib dinners and evening of bridge was the norm at the Crouse house.

Bea leaves to mourn her daughters: Charlotte (Terry) Metz, and Yvonne (Terry) Wolfe; son Dwight Crouse and daughter in-law Dawn Marie (Lynch) Crouse; grandchildren: Christine (Josh) Lancaster, Terrence Metz, Tim (Laurie) Metz, Daine (Tiffany) Montgomery, Nikki Montgomery (Todd Moulun), Kathleen Crouse (Matt Ruddell), Michael (Amanda) Crouse, David Crouse (Jesse Arduini), Nathan (Laura) Crouse, Jason (Andrea) Wolfe, Tyler Wolfe (Kim Chomyk), and Leanne (Craig) Venhola; eighteen great-grandchildren; sister Sally Klotz and brother Ray Freson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bea was predeceased by her husband Mel (2001), daughter Karen and son in-law Wayne Montgomery (1990), son Mervin Crouse (2008), sisters: Eva and Marie; and brothers: Martin, Pete, Joe, Tony, George and Ted.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at 1:00pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grande Prairie (10404 102 St). Interment to follow at the Grande Prairie Cemetery (84^th Ave. and 112^th St.).