Obituary

Beulah (Bea) Mae Storey passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, at Karen Acres in Urbandale, Iowa. She was born on July 28, 1934, in Unionville, Missouri, to Ross and Ruby McElderry.

From a young age, Bea worked alongside her mother, Ruby, doing many small jobs and waitressing as a young woman. She was a hard-working and determined person, earning the affectionate nickname “Busy Bea.”

Bea met the love of her life, Ray Storey, and together they made their home in Grimes, Iowa, where they raised four children—Rick, Doug, Julie, and Debbie. Bea and Ray shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and adventure. They spent countless hours with family and friends fishing, boating, water skiing, and tending their large garden.

Bea was an amazing mother who kept the household running smoothly and canned the garden’s bountiful harvest each year. There was nothing she couldn’t do. A talented artist, Bea created beautiful oil paintings—her most cherished being of their home in Grimes. She was also skilled in macramé, sewing, and crocheting, making many treasured blankets for loved ones.

Cooking and baking were among Bea’s greatest joys. Her pies were famous among family and friends. While wintering in Arizona as a snowbird, she won a Carrot Pie contest, and later took home a ribbon for her pecan pie as well.

After Ray’s retirement from John Deere, Bea and Ray moved to their beloved home on Table Rock Lake in Shell Knob, Missouri. They enjoyed many happy years at the lake during the summers and spent winters traveling. In 2014, they returned to Grimes to be closer to family.

Bea deeply loved her family and took immense pride in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children Rick (Madeline) Storey and Debbie Storey Larson (Duke); seven grandchildren—Andrea, Nicole, Japheth (Jay), Jessie, Julie, Lacey, and Lucas; and eleven great-grandchildren—Lilly, Charlotte, Tess, Taylor, Murphy, Aaris, Kiyah, Leiya, Liam, Caelum, and Billy. She is also survived by her sister, Margie Dullard of Maumelle, Arkansas.

Bea was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ray; her children Julie Rae and Doug Storey; her parents Ross and Ruby McElderry; her sister Mary Knapp; and her brothers Bernard, Bob, and Jerry McElderry.

Bea will be remembered for her creativity, her love of family, her endless energy, and the warmth she brought to everyone who knew her. She was truly the heart of her family and will be deeply missed.

A private family burial will be held at a later date



Online condolences are welcome at www.ilescares.com

Arrangements by Iles Brandt Chapel

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