Bernice "Bea" Catherine Galle

Bernice Catherine “Bea” (nee Gratton) Galle passed away on April 9th, 2026 surrounded by family following a short illness. Born in Fond du Lac on August 18, 1927, she enjoyed a very full 98 years of life dedicated to family and friends.

Bea was the beloved daughter of Pauline (Mertens) Gratton and Frank Gratton. She was a lifelong Fond du Lac resident, graduating from Goodrich High School in 1945. After high school she worked several jobs including Woolworth Dime Store and Fond du Lac Dry Goods, also spending numerous years at the Wisconsin Telephone Company which she reminisced about frequently and fondly. She married her lifelong partner Donald Galle on October 13th, 1951, they enjoyed 51 years of marriage. Bea was truly passionate about her 30 years as a

Secretary at St. Mary’s grade school, retiring in 2001 at the young age of 74, having made lifelong friendships that she forever cherished. Everyone that was fortunate enough to know Bea, loved her.

Always gracious with her time, Bea volunteered to many worthwhile causes including Loaves and Fishes,

Samaritan Clinic and the Agnesian Health Shoppe . She was also a lifetime member of the Daughters of Isabella and was dedicated to her faith as a member of Holy Family Catholic Parish.

Bea enjoyed a lifetime of camping and bicycling at Long Lake in the Kettle Moraine, staying active into her later years with annual canoe trips on the Mecan River for Mother’s Day and climbing Dundee Hill on her 80th birthday. She had a wonderful knack for drawing and would create elaborate backdrops for Anna Rose Riederer School of Dance recitals. She loved putting pencil to paper, keeping notes, writing letters to friends, keeping up with birthdays, holidays and annual Christmas cards. She delighted in her cozy home and relished listening to her favorite composer, Andre Rieu.

In her retirement, she would frequently visit daughter Paula and family in Colorado and spent many birthdays there. She enjoyed going to Bob and Sue’s cabin with time spent by the campfire and enjoying the lake view. She maintained her independence, still living at home alone and her once a week drive on Friday to get her hair done.

Bea is survived by her loving children Bob (Sue) Galle, Paula (Scott Jarvis) Metcaffe, grandchildren Conner and Chandler Metcaffe, Jake Damm (Becky), great grandchildren Carter and Dahlia Damm and sister Ruth Mauer. She is fondly remembered by a wonderful group of nieces and nephews who stayed in steady contact.

Preceding her in death are her parents Pauline and Frank, her husband Don, siblings Agnes Harris, Marion DeVoy, Francis (Patricia) Gratton, Alvin (Joan) Gratton, brother-in-law Marlin (Mert) Mauer, cherished grandchildren Chase Galle and Corrinne Metcaffe.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Fond du Lac. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 12:00 PM. Cremation will follow the service. Burial will occur in Calvary Cemetery.

Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com