Beverly Ann Beckendorf, the daughter of Harry and Elsie (Hallcock) Zimmerman, was born June 21, 1936, in rural Elliott, IA. She died May 9, 2018, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 81 years, 10 months, and 18 days.

Bev attended school in Lewis and graduated from the Lewis High School in 1954. On November 19, 1954, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Bobby Joe Beckendorf at the Lewis United Methodist Church. In 1969, they moved to the family farm where she resided until her death. In her younger years her work included: being a cook at the school, a switchboard operator in Atlantic, and a neighborhood school bus driver. She was then a homemaker for several years raising her children.

Bev was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church where she loved singing in the choir. She had served on the election board and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling on fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota, and always had a large vegetable and flower garden. But most of all she loved spending time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her son Larry; her parents; and her nephew Sam Sunderman.

Bev is survived by her husband of 63 years Bob of Walnut, IA; her children: Russell Beckendorf and wife Carla of Milford, IA, Sherri Hetrick and husband Chuck of Maryville, MO, and Mark Beckendorf of Johnston, IA; her daughter-in-law Jane Beckendorf of Exira, IA; her grandchildren: Morgan, Christian, Robin, Jennifer, Trevor, Reagan, Carly, Kacey, and Corey, nine great grandchildren; and her sister Karen Woodward and husband Duane of Lewis, IA.

A memorial service for Bev will take place on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 11:30 AM at the Oakland United Methodist Church in Oakland. A private interment will take place in Oak Wood Cemetery before the memorial service. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, May 13, 2018 from 3:30 PM until 6:00 PM at the Oakland United Methodist Church in Oakland. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.