Anderson, Beverly Jean

Beverly Jean Anderson, 79, of Vinton, died peacefully Friday, June 1, 2012, surrounded by her family. She said goodbye to her best friend and husband of 60 years, John; son Craig and his wife, Linda; and daughter Jody Berces, and passed away.

Beverly leaves behind her husband; two children, Craig Anderson and wife Linda, and Jody Berces and husband Roy; three grandchildren, Jennifer Anderson Zieser and husband Steve, Jill Anderson Louzek and husband Dan, and Anna Berces; three great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Thomas and John Louzek; and her sister, Dondaleen McCaleb.

Her family, especially her grandchildren, meant everything to her. She never missed a birthday, even through the last years of suffering with heart disease and surgery.

Beverly spent decades in business with her husband, John, working side-by-side growing the family business. She loved the business and felt blessed to be one of the few who couldn't wait to go to work everyday. Earlier in her life she worked for the Cedar Valley Daily Times, which started her on her lifelong love of reading newspapers.

At home, she loved the neighbor children, dogs and birds. In summertime, you could find a house full of neighborhood children with her. She truly believed it “takes a village” to raise children and was as concerned about her young friends as her family. The neighborhood dogs could always find a free meal at her back door and a few came daily to say hello and stay. Her backyard is full of bird feeders. For years, she tracked their migration and the amounts they ate. Her delight in seeing the first robin, the first Baltimore oriole and others was like a holiday to her.

Beverly will be remembered for her incredible generosity to her beloved town of Vinton. While she traveled often, she always said she would never want to live anywhere but Vinton. She and John shared their success with the community by helping with the hospital, schools, parks and recreation, athletic teams and individual scholarships.

A visitation will be held at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton on Tuesday, June 5, from 3 to 7 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at a later time when all immediate family can come together to honor her life.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

You may leave condolences for the family at www.vsrfh.com.

Published June 3, 2012 in The Gazette