Beatrice "Bea" Jeanette Mogensen

Beatrice “Bea” Jeanette Mogensen, 94, of Sun Prairie, formerly of Land-O-Lakes and Janesville, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Born on January 11, 1932, in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Elmer and Mildred (Hanewold) Johnson, Bea graduated from Madison Business College and married Robert “Bob” George Mogensen on September 4, 1954, in Janesville. The couple lived in Appleton, Brodhead, and Janesville, where Bea worked for Parker Pen and supported Bob’s pharmacy career as they owned and operated Rockport Road Drug Store, RM Pharmacy, and Plaza Drugs.

A self-described Northwoods girl at heart, Bea and Bob moved in 1978 to Land-O-Lakes, where they lovingly renovated the Moccasair Lodge and reopened it as a popular bed and breakfast known for Bea’s delicious breakfasts and baked goods. They later settled on South Twin Lake near Phelps, creating a cherished backdrop for their children and grandchildren filled with campfires, ice luges, fishing, water skiing, and memorable Christmases. Bea’s many talents included sewing canvas boat covers, awnings, and handbags on her industrial sewing machine, as well as creating detailed fish ink rubbings and working with ceramics. She was an accomplished cook, sailor, traveler, and angler who could prepare delicate lefse or pie, sew fifty pounds of canvas, and clean a northern pike with skill.

Above all, Bea embraced motherhood with warmth and wisdom. She taught her children to laugh, learn from their mistakes, and be self-sufficient, never judging their individual characters. Beneath her sharp dress and gentle demeanor lay a tough Norwegian spirit and a deep love for her husband, family, and the Northwoods.

Bea is survived by her brother Russ (Avis) Johnson of Fort Atkinson; her children Sarah (Bill) Spilman of Sun Prairie, Amy (Greg) Vigdal of Cottage Grove, Dan (Jennifer) Mogensen of Sarasota, Florida, and Joe (Donna) Mogensen of Poynette; eight grandchildren; and great-grandchild Jocelyn. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 2008 and her sister Eleanor (the late Charles C. Gray, III).