Beatta Pauline Luksik

Beatta Pauline (Henke) Luksik was born July 19, 1938 to Otto and wife Wilhelmina Henke in Western, Nebraska. In her youth she was Baptized and Confirmed. She attended elementary school in Western, NE and graduated from Beatrice High School.

Beatta was married to Larry Whitehead and was blessed with sons Lanny and Scott. Following a divorce, she attended the School of Secretarial Studies in Lincoln, Nebraska. She met Larry Luksik in a laundry mat in Lincoln, NE and they married July 10, 1965 and were blessed with a son, Jon. Marrying Larry #2 brought her into a new life as a military wife where she experienced 22 exciting years of traveling, loneliness when he was away from months/years, managing family affairs, raising 3 sons, and working part time in numerous businesses. The most memorable times were being stationed in England where she visited Germany and France while being the Team Mother to Scott and Jon’s Little League Baseball team.

Bea’s Christian faith is undeniable and in the arms of Christ she raised 3 sons, survived military life and in 1984 changed from military to civilian life. All three of her sons were now in the Air Force, following in their Dad’s foot steps. She became much more involved in church and her favorite tasks were baking huge amounts of cookies, banana bread, rolls and more for fundraisers. She would bake Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For one church, she raised $8,000 and for another, she single handedly raised $3,000.

Bea entered full retirement life in 2005 and enjoyed the blessing of leisure travel; the endless road trips were fun, but she enjoyed cruising to Alaska and the Mediterranean the best. Her favorite past time was making yarn wrapped clothes hangers; she made thousands of them in various colors, each hanger had over 360 knots. Many of you enjoy them as you read her life story.

Slowed by 3 spinal surgeries, serious staph infections, and a stroke in 1999, Bea never faltered in her faith in God and in her family. Though her speech was now limited, her grand and great grandchildren affectionately fell into her arms. Larry often joked that he was married to a woman that had her own chauffer, butler and interpreter because he would help her around the house, drive her around and finish her sentences for her.

Beatta’s gentleness and faith in Christ made her a “friend to all.” She virtually refused to say anything bad about another person and if someone upset her, she would immediately forgive them. For all these reasons, we will miss Beatta Pauline (Henke) Luksik, but at the same time, we will confidently know that she has been well received in heaven.

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