Beverly A. Beckman

Bev was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 16, 1932. Her parents were William and Ruth West Anderson. She was the oldest of three children: her younger sister, Beryl, and their young brother, Willard. The family eventually moved to Fort Collins. Shortly after that move, their father died. Bev was only 14. Because their mother was always ill, Bev and her sister Beryl, had to assume the housekeeping, the cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, preparing of their meals, and much more, along with their school work. They were very close to their father, and his untimely death was very traumatic to the children. Bev graduated from Fort Collins high school and was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Denver School of Nursing, where she earned her RN and B.S. degree. She was near the top of her class both in high school and Nursing School. Along with her academic ability, she was an accomplished soloist. She sang solos for many of her nursing school classmates' weddings. And she often made her own dresses for the occasion. Dave and Bev were married the day after she graduated from University of Denver, on August 21, 1954, which also happened to be Dave's 28th Birthday. Three daughters were born to them: Kristen, Heidi and Andrea. Dave eventually became president of what is now known as Colorado Christian University. The difficult time she had after her father died, prepared her for responsibilities as a college president's wife. She entertained students, faculty, board members and donors. And she was greatly loved by many. When the family needed income she went to work as a nurse in varying capacities. When Bev finally retired from the Jefferson County Health Department, and then the Colorado Clinical Lab, she received a call from the Colorado Attorney General's office. They told her if she would apply they had a job for her as an expert witness in nursing home cases. During the time she worked for the Attorney General's office, the young attorney's used to call her ""Mom"". Dave was very proud of Bev, not only for how exquisitely she entertained, but for how in her own profession she established an extraordinary reputation. She will be missed by many. Beverly is survived by her husband of 56 years, David; daughters Kristen (Jim) Donnell, Heidi Beckman, Andrea Stark; grandsons Jack Donnell, Jimmy Donnell. Zach Stark and Brett Stark and sister Beryl (Bob) Long. She is preceded in death by her parents William Herman Anderson and Ruth West Anderson. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday May 4, 2013, 2:00 PM at Lyons Cemetery, 3rd Avenue North, Lyons, CO 80540. (Head north on 3rd Avenue and the cemetery will be at the end of the road.) A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 11th, 2:00 PM, Covenant Village of Colorado, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beckman Scholarship Fund c/o Colorado Christian University, 8787 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, CO 80226. Please share your memories of Beverly and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.