Beverly Jean Burrell

Beverly Jean Burrell

Cedar Rapids

Beverly Jean Burrell, 84, passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2022. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 6, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Beverly graduated as a salutatorian from Mason City High School. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Chemistry. She married the love of her life, James Burrell on July 3, 1960, in Mason City, Iowa; they were married for 46 wonderful years.

Beverly worked for Iowa Workforce Development. During her 43-year career, she helped many people find a job and navigate the unemployment process. For approximately 20 years, one of her duties was announcing job openings on 600 WMT radio. After retirement, Beverly met with her former coworkers once a month. Coworkers said, “Beverly was the go-to for any question. She was the smartest one in the office. She was tough and the most respected.”

Beverly was an active member of her community. She served on the board of directors for Jane Boyd Community House Board, and Washington High School Athletic Club. In 2009, she was inducted into the Washington Warriors Athletics Club Hall of Fame. She loved being with her grandchildren, watching sports, spending time with her knitting group, and playing Scrabble with friends at the library.

Family was most important to Beverly. She is survived by her children, Jami Burrell, Brian (Rita), Douglas (Lori Johnson), Geoffrey, Gerrold (Erin Frasher), Aaron (McKenzie), Kevin (Lindsay), and Keith (Katie); 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; siblings, Pauletta Kipper, Dianna Bowers, Joseph (Sharon) Coty, Andrea Coty; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents, Paul and Spizie Coty; siblings, Pauline Coty, Paul Coty, Dwight Coty, Ralph Coty, Michael Coty, Carolyn Coty, and Pierre Coty.

Beverly’s family would like to thank the Right at Home staff, especially Samantha Bittner and Monica Niyirora, and the staff at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital, notably nurses Ben and Jennifer, for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Beverly’s name to the American Diabetes Association and Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.