Beulah M. Richards' Obituary
Beulah Richards was born Jan 23, 1924 and passed peacefully on Dec 20, 2017 at the age of 93.
Her parents, George Strickfaden and Wilhemina Keil Strickfaden, owned a farm in the small town of California, Missouri. It was a wonderful place to be raised. Her family comprised a good portion of the community and life centered around the farm and the church. In 1937 at the age of 13 her family moved to South Tacoma where some of her cousins had moved earlier and Beulah's life had a seismic shift. For the first time her home had running water and electricity. Upon enrolling at Gray Middle School this was the first time she was not being taught in a one room schoolhouse with one teacher for all the grades. After graduation from Lincoln High school in June 1942, she worked at various retail jobs until starting employment at Pacific First Federal on June 1, 1955 in their downtown Tacoma office as a bank teller. When a branch office was opened in Lakewood, she was one of three employees. Through the years the branch grew into a new bank building and Beulah kept advancing until she was a senior loan closer in the company real estate department. This she did until her retirement on Sept 30, 1982.
On August 26, 1967, Beulah married Raymond R. Richards and they had a wonderful life together until he passed away on Dec 10, 2008. Ray came into Beulah's life at a critical time for her. In 1966 she lost her last parent, her father, and in 1967 she lost her only sibling, James Strickfaden in Feb. She was totally alone in the world. Her brother's widow, Helen, had a brother who came out to be of help and that was Raymond Richards. Beulah always believed that Ray's coming into her life when he did was God's blessing to her.
After Ray's passing, there was another angel to grace Beulah's path....Karen Worthy. She could not have completed the last five years of her journey here without the enduring and loving compassionate care that she gave. It was solely due to Karen's never taking any time off or vacation that Beulah was able to stay in her home until the last three months of her life.
Beulah was preceded in death by her father, mother and dearest brother, James Strickfaden.
Beulah is survived by her step-son Stephen Richards (Mary), her nephew Gary Strickfaden and niece Paula Simon.
What’s your fondest memory of Beulah?
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Share a story where Beulah's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Beulah you’ll never forget.
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