Beatrix Koot Versteeg

On the morning of June 26th, 2026, Beatrix Agatha Versteeg, cherished wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away in the comfort of her own home in the company of two of her four children. June 26th holds sentimental significance for the Versteeg family as it is the same date of her beloved late husband, Fred Versteeg’s passing thirty-five years ago.

Just as Beatrix or “Bea” Versteeg knew how to pull the lever on a slot machine in Vegas, she knew how to pull on the levers in life to fill her heart with love, joy, and family. If you knew Bea, please be assured that she is grateful for your role in her incredible life, and while there is space to grieve for the loss of such a hearty and resilient spirit, she would encourage us all to take this gathering as an opportunity to be joyful in each other's presence, to laugh as she often did, and to focus on the privilege of togetherness we are all afforded at this time.

Bea was born to Agatha B. Dorré-Koot and Willem Koot on the island of Java, Indonesia on May 25th, 1931. Bea and her older brother Charles were reared in an exciting environment of what was then a rural district of the Dutch East Indies. Their childhood was spent exploring wild jungles in conjunction with learning the etiquette of hosting guests at the family hotel “Hotel Beatrix” to wayward European travelers.

In 1942 their pace of life was violently disrupted when the Japanese Pacific campaign brought war to their home. At only 10 years old, Bea and her mother, Agatha, spent nearly three years imprisoned in a women’s and children’s concentration camp, while her brother, Charles, was imprisoned in the men’s camps. After enduring months of malnutrition and disease, which nearly claimed Agatha’s life, the Koot family was eventually liberated.

During an interim period while still living in the Pacific, Bea met her late husband, Fred W. Versteeg, an officer in the Dutch military. Bea continued her education in the Netherlands, eloped with Fred in England, and eventually moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1957.

Bea and her husband raised their four children—Yvonne, Joyce, Freddy, and Yolanda—in the Salt Lake valley and ran the successful label printing business LithoFlexo Grafics. Bea earned the nickname “The Galactic Commander” during her tenure as CEO.

Both before and during her retirement, Bea spoke her love language to her family through recipes brought from the other side of the world and refined over decades. During the holidays, the open door to the Versteeg household spilled forth the raucous sounds of laughter and savory aromas of dishes like nasi goreng and bitterballen. This tradition of celebrating the privilege of a meal with family is the legacy Beatrix Versteeg passes on to her posterity, with the hope that the values of love, generosity, and gratitude will endure for generations to come.

Bea was predeceased by her husband Fred Versteeg; her brother Charles Koot; and her grandson Cameron Versteeg. She is survived by her four children: Yvonne Woods (Married to Burt); Joyce Valdez (Married to Larry); Freddy Versteeg (married to Cheryl); Yolanda Versteeg, as well as seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

A quiet memorial viewing will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 from 5-7PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah 84092.

Next to Larkin, (same Parking lot) is The Chateau at Le Jardin, where we will celebrate her memory with light snacks and drinks.

Family and Friends may alternate between buildings during the time frame.

Beatrix's family will have a private graveside the following day, at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity or to Bea’s favorite charity; Ronald McDonald House Mountain West

https://ronaldmcdonaldhousemountainwest.org/