Beulah Marie Ahrens Waggener, the daughter of Mathilda Wilhelmina (Schoenfeld) and John Henry Ahrens, was born February 22, 1920 in
Stoddard
,
Nebraska
. She was one of seven children born and raised here in the
Thayer
County
area. She passed from this life on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the hospital in
Hebron
,
Nebraska
at the age of 92 years. Beulah and her first husband Melvin Bartels lived in Deshler and worked at the broom factory. During WWII, Beulah moved to
Napa
,
California
and worked at Mare Island Ship Yards. She met and married Charles Hill. They moved to
Auburn
,
California
where she graduated from Psychiatric Technician training. She enjoyed her work immensely, caring for her patients with love and compassion. She and Charley were eventually transferred to work at the
Napa
State
Hospital
. He passed away in his sleep at their home in 1977. Beulah fell in love with a co-worker, Robert Waggener, They were married, and after retiring purchased a 5
th
Wheel trailer and traveled extensively throughout the
United States
. Beulah (B. Marie) was known for her beautiful crafts, love of children, and being a very proper, spiffy lady. She loved to dress up, but would always comment when complimented, "oh this old thing!" Beulah was preceded in death by her parents, John and "Tilly" Ahrens; her three husbands; brothers: Milton, Everett, Alfred, and Elden; and sisters, Vera Deal and Bernice Bartels. She will be forever remembered by her only child, daughter, Charlene Joy and husband Eldon Wolfe of Hebron; step-son, Chuck Hill and wife, Grace of Benicia, CA; grandchildren: Tim and Jennifer Hull, Santa Cruz, CA; Sarah and Kevin Costello, Ft. Bragg, CA; Daniel and Sarah McFarland, Westmont, IL; and Mike McFarland, Chico, CA; step-grandchildren: Duane Long, Philip Hill, and Andrea Hill; great-grandchildren: Anthony and Alex Costello; and twins, Maia and Gillian Hull; also dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Following B. Marie's wishes, she was cremated. A family inurnment service will be at the
Davenport
City
Cemetery
where she will be laid to rest next to her parents and brother, Alfred. A memorial service for the public will be held with the time and location to be announced later.
