Obituary: Bea Rounsley
- Obituary
- 8 hours ago
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Bea Rounsley, a longtime Juneau resident, died Dec. 29, 2025.
Bea was born in Tacoma on Dec. 9, 1924, to Alfred and Hertha (Metke) Perry. The family lost their home during the Great Depression and moved to Gig Harbor, living in a tent as they built their new home over time.
At Gig Harbor High School, Bea played saxophone in the band. After graduation, she worked at the Bremerton Navy Yard during World War II. She met her future husband Wally when they were both visiting Victoria, B.C.
Bea moved to Juneau to join Wally who had gotten a job at a local dairy. They were married at the Juneau Hotel in 1949 and enjoyed the social activities of Juneau. One cherished memory was dancing at the Baranof Latchstring on Christmas Eve in a new red dress with Wally in his bellhop uniform.
In 1950 they bought an acre of land on the road to the glacier. They cleared a road in, put up a tent, and began building the home where they raised their two sons. Like her mother, Bea was an avid gardener. Her vegetables fed family and friends, and her flowers in the front were a lovely display for those walking by on the bike path.
She always had a head for figures and worked in budget and accounting for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and later the Alaska Department of Labor.
After retiring, she and Wally took many trips in their camper trailers, traveling from Mexico to Nova Scotia and Key West to Inuvik. Bea loved RV-ing and enjoyed trips with family for many years.
Bea was a woman of faith with a positive outlook. She was a good listener with many friends. She enjoyed walking dogs and caring for children. She volunteered for a variety of activities as a member of the Hospital Guild, NARFE, Pioneers of Alaska, and Women of the Moose.
She was predeceased by Wally, her parents, and siblings Bob, Bert, Doris, Ruth, and Violet. She is survived by her sons Jerry and Dan (Kim Garnero) and several nieces and nephews: Saara Krook, Donna Hunt, Judy Kimura, Nancy Hansen, Roberta Perry, Don Perry, and Joe Helf.
Bea spent her final years at Wildflower Court and her final hours at Bartlett Regional Hospital. Her family is grateful to both these facilities for the excellent and kind care she received.
A service honoring Bea’s life will be held at Chapel by the Lake – Log Chapel on Saturday, April 18,,2026, at 11:00 am with lunch to follow in Smith Hall.
For those wishing to donate in her memory, Love INC is a local nonprofit she supported.
