Beatrice E Whitehead

Obituary

Beatrice E "Bea" Whitehead

January 17, 1951- May 26, 2026

Beatrice E. "Bea" Whitehead, 75, of Worland, Wyoming, passed away unexpectedly on May 26, 2026, at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana.

She was born on January 17, 1951, in Holly, Colorado, to Lucas Nieves and Calixta Ontiveros (Gomez) Ibarra. She grew up in the Arkansas Valley in Colorado watching and helping in the fields, acquiring a work ethic that would stay with her until her last day. She was the third youngest of eleven children and graduated from Granada High School in 1970. She later attended the University of Colorado for two years, which she was proud of.

She married Dusty Franklin Whitehead on July 23, 1977. She and Dusty traveled around Colorado and Utah while she worked as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell telephone company and started their family. In 1984 the couple moved to Worland with their two boys, Dustin and Travis, where they built a life centered around family, faith, and hard work. Bea worked cleaning homes and offices and took pride in everything she did. She was known for keeping things spotless, staying organized, and making sure everyone around her was taken care of.

Bea was a no-nonsense woman who always knew exactly where she stood. If she loved you, you never had to question it, she would do anything for the people she cared about. Her family was the most important part of her life, and she faithfully showed up for her children and grandchildren in every way possible.

She enjoyed sports, traveling, whether on summer family vacations or later in life with her close friends. Bea was passionate about spending time with her parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, frequently making the long drive to Granada for every family reunion, wedding, graduation, funeral and any other special occasion she thought she needed to attend. Her entire family was the most important thing to her. Bea especially loved gardening and had a gift for growing plants. She also enjoyed going to yard sales and finding antiques and some might say "hoarding" every little treasure. Friends and family joked that if she found an activity she liked, she would consume herself with learning everything about it. Crochet, embroidery, macramé, sewing, diamond dot projects, and a special love for Denver sports teams kept her busy.

A devout and proud Catholic, at Mass every Sunday sitting in the same pew for more than 40 years. If you unknowingly sat in her spot, she made sure to let you know that this seat was taken and to find another spot. Her faith, family, and community were constant throughout her life.

Bea was preceded in death by her parents Lucas and Calixta Ibarra; her husband, Dusty Whitehead; infant son, James; brother, Rudy Ibarra; and sisters Ignacia Ibarra, Teresa Ibarra, Hortencia Terrazas, Lydia Lopez, Bertha Alicia Martinez, Cruz Ibarra, sisters-in-law Alice Mae Ibarra, Dee Files; nephew, Roland Ibarra; Niece Amy Little, and her best friend, Shauna (Keller) Rohrer.

She is survived by her sons, Dustin (Heidi) Whitehead of Worland and Travis Whitehead of Worland; her grandchildren, Parker and Mesa; her sister, Teresa (Terry) McGee of Granada, Colorado; brothers, Jerry (Angie) Ibarra of Granada, Colorado, Raul Ibarra of Lamar, Colorado; sisters-in-law, Judy Simmons of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Debbie (Rob) Goodrich of Decatur, Texas. She is also survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews whom she loved more they will ever know, and all the numerous friends she made throughout her life whom she loved just as deeply.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 AM, Monday June 1, 2026, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church with Father Robert Rodgers officiating. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Sunday, May 31, 2026. Memorial donations may be made to Van-Go public transportation in Worland ( Please write checks out to Worland Senior Center and put Van-Go in the memo) or St. Mary Magdalen Church. Please send checks to PO Box 524 Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.