Beatrice Ann Haapanen

Beatrice “Bea” Ann Haapanen, 75, died on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.

Bea was born December 5, 1941 in Milwaukee, WI.  In 1962 she received her Nursing Degree from Grant Hospital School of Nursing, and in 1986 her Bachelor of Science Degree from DePaul, and in 1995 her Masters in Public Health from University of Illinois.  In 2000 she retired from University of Illinois Hospital after 33 years of service.  In 2011 she served as President of Finlandia Foundation, Florida Chapter.

After retirement she worked for Hospice at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago for 7 years.  She was a member of the Church of the Ascension, Chicago.  She enjoyed travel, opera, and her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity International.

Survivors include her brother Rick (Lindy) Haapanen; sister-in-law Kathy Haapanen; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her brother Jerry Haapanen; and father and mother Verner “Ben” and Irene (nee Sironen) Haapanen.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3350 North Delany Road, Waukegan, IL.  A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to: Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, c/o Advancement Office, 601 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930, or The Church of the Ascension, 1133 North LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610-2601, or Habitat for Humanity International (habitat.org).