Private family services for Bernetta "Bea" Gatz, age 76, of O'Neill, Nebraska will be held at a later date.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Verdigre, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.Local arrangement by Waterbury Funeral Service.

Bea died Monday, March 16, 2015, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Bernetta “Bea” Gatz , age 76, of O’Neill, Nebraska passed away Monday, March 16, 2015, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Bea was born on August 18, 1938, the daughter of William “Bill” and Bessie Buskirk. She grew up in Verdel and Niobrara, Nebraska, and attended country school.

Bea married Freddie Gatz on June 21, 1954. To this union four children were born. They were separated in 1963, and divorced in 1967. Later Bea met “Smoky,” and they spent 29 years together.

Bea started a journey playing guitar with several musicians, and also wrote her own country songs, and they were published by Five Star Music Masters of Boston. Bea had the privilege of playing with local bands as well, including Bill Legate, Val Ray, and Bud Van Fleet. She started up her own band, “The Country Drifters,” and enjoyed life to the fullest. Bea loved country music and also playing with her brother Bill Buskirk and “The Gang.” She also bartended at the Gold Bug in Phoenix, Arizona, Gaylen’s Bar, Ski Hi, and the Eagles of O’Neill, Nebraska. She was like a “Rolling Stone” as she quoted. Later as Bea’s health declined, she lived in Hornick, Iowa with her loving daughter Theresa (Steve) Roehr. They enjoyed caring for Bea.

Bea enjoyed eating ice cream and chewing bubble gum. She liked flowers, the outdoors, and animals, including a special cat “Kitty.” While spending time at her new home, she enjoyed the company of her loving granddaughter, Lisa Brewer, and great-grandson, Austen. One of her greatest thrills was the concert of “Bobby Bare”, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and other country artists.

Bea is also remembered for teaching her granddaughter Lisa the song “Waltz Across Texas”, making homemade play dough, singing with her daughter, Theresa, the song “Once A Day”, in Springfield, South Dakota, and singing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” to Steve and Theresa.

Bea also enjoyed walking in the sand along the Niobrara River with grandson, Michael and Theresa looking for “Diamond Willow,” and Michael found her a special walking stick. She spent a lot of time talking and visiting with her special niece, Misti Dawn Buskirk, and going places with Misti’s mother, Kathy Buskirk. During her life, she loved spending time with her sisters and her brother Bill.

Bea is survived by her sister, Cindi Marsh of South Sioux City, Nebraska; her children, Todd of South Sioux City, Toni of Homer, Nebraska, Theresa Brewer-Roehr and husband, Steve Roehr of Hornick, Iowa; grandchildren, Lisa Brewer of Hornick, Michael Munson (Kerrissa Shinski) of Indianola, Iowa and Miranda Gatz of Homer; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Bessie Buskirk; sisters, Joe Kemnitz and Katherine Buskirk-Sukup; one brother, Bill Buskirk; her son, Teddy Dean Gatz; former husband, Freddie Gatz; and her nephew, Carey Kemnitz.

This beautiful lady’s memories will live forever and she will be greatly missed by everyone.

Please direct memorials to:
The Family of Bea Gatz
501 4th Avenue
Hornick, IA 51026