Beatrice "Bea" L. Brockett

Beatrice L. Brockett, 104, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. A memorial service will be held at Major Erickson Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with Reverend James Bringman officiating. Visitation will be open at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bea's name to the American Cancer Society.

Beatrice “Bea” Leveda Brockett, was born on June 19, 1921, on the family farm seven miles east of Northwood, Iowa, the daughter of the late John and Elfreda (Boldman) Brazel. Bea was one of eight children, growing up on the family farm. Bea attended country school and later Northwood High School where she graduated in 1938. She skipped to the third grade, because as a first grader she was answering questions a second grader could not. After high school Bea went on to get her Teaching Certificate at Iowa State Teachers College. She taught in the Lake Mills school district from 1938-1939.

On December 30, 1940, Beatrice was united in Marriage to Rex A. Brockett in a small ceremony held at the parsonage in Nora Springs. Together they had two children, Janice and John.

The couple moved to Mason City where Bea went on to teach at Lime Creek #7 for a couple of years around 1955, and although Bea loved teaching she held many other jobs throughout her lifetime which included, cooking for Lime Creek #8, sewing as a seamstress at Mode’0 Day Corporation in Mason city, working in administration at the Mason City YMCA, and housekeeping at Mercy Hospital. She loved staying busy and did not retire until she was 80.

Bea’s faith in God was dear to her and she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mason City for more than 75 years. She taught Sunday School classes and enjoyed sharing stories about her teaching years.

Growing up on a small Iowa farm during the Depression years, Bea and her sisters became skilled at cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, tending livestock, and when required working in the fields. They especially developed a passion for gardening, and loved growing flowers. Throughout her life, wherever Bea lived she would always enjoy raising flowers and tending a vegetable garden.

Frequently in large families, the older children would help take care of their younger siblings. In Bea’s case she provided loving care for her younger brother Kenneth. Her motherly instincts carried over to later years as over the decades she provided a welcoming and warm home environment and refuge for generations of nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She truly enjoyed children and they helped keep her young.

Bea was an avid reader and read her entire life until her eyesight began to fail in her later years. She enjoyed music and loved to laugh and have a good time with her sisters when they got together and always enjoyed being with people of all ages.

Bea is survived by her children, Janice Conway and John (Karen) Brockett; grandchildren, Jim (Tasha Kohls) Conway and Kristine (Richard) Mays; great-grandchildren, Mackenzy Conway, Mollie Conway, and Brandon Wellborn; as well as many extended family members.

Bea is preceded in death by her parents, John and Elfreda (Boldman) Brazel ; her husband, Rex A. Brockett; her sisters, Doris Brazel, Opal (Harry) Everhart, Margaret Brazel, Gladys (Bardelt) Broers, and Geneva (Robert) Patterson; her brothers, Virgil Brazel and Kenneth Brazel; and two grandchildren, Kathryn (Robert) Brockett Wellborn, and Tamarah McGinnis.

The family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Osage Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center as well as St. Croix Hospice for their dedicated care, support, and love given to Bea.

Remember Me

Don't remember me with sadness,

Don't remember me with tears,

Remember all the laughter,

We've shared throughout the years.

Now I am contented

That my life it was worthwhile,

Knowing as I passed along the way

I made somebody smile.

When you are walking down the street

And you've got me on your mind,

I'm walking in your footsteps

Only half a step behind.

So please don't be unhappy

Just because I am out of sight,

Remember that I am with you

Each morning, noon and night.