Beatrice Mae Bruvold Kotz

Beatrice Mae Bruvold Kotz, age 90, died peacefully at home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota on September 26, 2020. Bea was born on August 15, 1930 in Comertown, Montana to Peder and Mary Inga Bruvold. Together with her 6 sisters and 2 brothers (and also 5 half siblings), they lived on the family Mustang ranch. After her father’s death in 1933, her mother moved the family to Kensington, Minnesota to be closer to relatives. Being one of the youngest children in such a large family, she always said it was like being raised by a tribe. Bea earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of MN, and her Master’s of Arts at Hamline University. Bea married Arthur R. Kotz in October, 1955. Together they lived in Falcon Heights, Minnesota; Madison, Wisconsin; and then White Bear Lake, Minnesota, ultimately settling into their long-time residence surrounded by nature on the shore of Bald Eagle Lake. Art and Bea spent many days of summer at their lovely cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior, near Lutsen, MN. They adored their time at this scenic lakeside retreat, and passed this tradition down to their children and grandchildren. More recently they spent several winters at their desert home at Quail Creek in Green Valley, Arizona. Bea was an exceptional mother, grandmother, teacher, and artist. She treasured her family, her friends, and her faith in God. Bea’s hobbies included painting, reading, and writing. She loved hosting festive occasions, book clubs and bible studies, filling the rooms with delicious food, good conversation, and laughter. Loving, incredibly outgoing, courageous, and generous, she touched many lives. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage, and became somewhat of an expert on the Kensington Runestone, and gave many lectures on the subject. Bea was preceded in death by her first daughter, Kristen Elaine Kotz, now joyously reunited with her. She was also preceded in death by her 6 sisters (Mimi, Pearl, Emma, Yvonne, Janice, and Mary Jean), her brother Reynold, and 5 older half siblings (Ernest, Hazel, Nan, Woodrow, and Vicki). Bea is survived by her loving husband, Arthur Rudolph Kotz, of White Bear Lake, MN. She is also survived by her son, Arthur Kotz, his wife Denise, and their children, Jenna and Andrew, of Woodbury, MN. Bea is also survived by her son, David Kotz of Eagan, MN, and his sons, Evan and Leif. She is also survived by her daughter, Kimberly Marlowe, her husband, Michael, and their children, Ashley and Jessica of Minnetrista, MN. Bea is also survived by her brother, Peder Bruvold and his wife, Emily, of Wahpeton, ND. Bea exuded warmth and made those around her feel good about themselves. She was truly a person of greatness, and lived a full and beautiful life. She will be dearly missed by many. Family will be holding private services. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Northstar Watercolor Society via the Beatrice Mae Bruvold Kotz Memorial at GoFundMe: copy and paste following link into your browser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/beatrice-mae-bruvold-kotz-memorial?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

MEMORIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOeM4zoO2Gs