Beatrice Mary Gonzalez Nagel passed away October 19, 2018 at the age of 90.

Her children surrounded her at the time of her death in Franciscan Hospice House, University Place, Washington.  A funeral mass is planned for 1:30 pm on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Sacred Heart Church, Pullman.  A reception follows at Banyans.

Born in Fairfield, California, she attended Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa, California.  She was awarded a teaching certificate upon completion of her post-secondary studies at San Jose State University.  She taught first grade in St. Helena, California, where she met Charles Nagel, whom she married on April 21, 1951.  The couple moved to Pullman, Washington when Chas joined the faculty at Washington State University.  Pullman was their family home until she moved to Tacoma in 2017 to be near family.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Chas, and brother, Mike Gonzalez.

Bea was active in her community: serving many years on the Pullman School Board, as a Pullman Hospital Commissioner and as Chairman of the state Republican Women's organization.  She also taught religious education in the Sacred Heart Parish of Pullman.  Throughout the years, Bea 'adopted' her husband's graduate students and members of the WSU Baseball team.  She recognized the importance of supporting them with good food in a family atmosphere while attending school.

Bea arrived at WSU during a time where the Provost's wife coached gloved assistant professors' wives on their supportive roles.  She evolved with the times where she critically engaged in the state political processes.  Oh, the changes she must have witnessed!

Bea was honored by WSU President Elson Floyd as an 'Adopted Cougar' for her support of the university.  She enjoyed working freshman registration at WSU and also worked on projects in the WSU Retirement Office.  Chas and Bea traveled during their retirement, eventually spending summers in Pullman and winters in Rancho Mirage, California.  Bea was a lively conversationalist, and shared that she considered herself a 'thinking' moderate Republican.  She was very strong in her convictions, both as an educator and a political activist.  Bea was a loving wife and devoted mother.

Bea's immediate family include her children: Kathy and Dan Deuel, Bill Nagel and Jeanette Belz, Liza Nagel, Trish and Bob Niehl and Rob Nagel.  Her grandchildren are Michael and Shelby Niehl, David and Bekah Niehl, and Patricia Woody.  Her four great-grandchildren are Addison, Emersyn, Lucas and Cody Niehl.

The family is grateful to those of you who brought joy to Bea's life.  Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA has been entrusted with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nagel Scholarship in Food Science, Human Nutrition & Enology at Washington State University.