Bela Flax

Bela Flax, age 100, passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at University Hospital in Madison. She was born on July 9, 1924, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. Her father Ruvim perished on the front lines in World War II under Nazi fire. Along with her mother and brother, she was in Nazi-besieged Leningrad. Her brother died of hunger in winter of 1941-1942. Bela finished the Institute of Foreign Languages and first worked as a school teacher. Later, she had a long career as an editor in the Academy of Sciences Publishing House. She was married in 1951 and had two children, Reuven and Inna. Reuven immigrated to the United States in 1985, and Bela moved to Madison in 1988, when Reuven became terminally ill with cancer. Soon after, Inna, her son IIya and her father Henry Gurevich, joined. Bela enjoyed reading books, especially poetry. She enjoyed attending classical music concerts and performing arts, and she liked to follow global events. Knitting and sewing were among her favorite hobbies. Bela was very devoted to her family and played a very active role in the upbringing of her grandson. Bela enjoyed seeing friends and taking short trips to nearby towns. She was grateful for spending her later years in the United States. Bela is survived by her daughter Inna Gurevic; her grandson Ilya Gurevic; and other relatives. Bela was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Ephraim Flax; her son Reuven Gurevic and Henry Gurevich. Burial was at Forest Hill Cemetery. Donations in Bela's memory can be made to Chabad of Madison, Jewish Federation and Jewish Social Services of Madison, as well as Wisconsin Public Media.

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