Beverly Doris Kelsven

Bev grew up in Almont, North Dakota, the youngest child of Clifford and Katherine Kelsven. The family lived above her parents’ general store. The Depression years were hard in the small town but the Kelsvens were able to stay in business and were generous to their neighbors. They were faithful in the Wesleyan Methodist church and Bev began to follow Jesus at a young age. Bev played with the boys and preferred overalls to the pretty dresses her mother sewed for her and sisters Kathleen and Marion. It was an exciting day for Bev when her Irish Water Spaniel puppy, Tippy, arrived on the train. Bev and Tippy loved to go pheasant hunting with her father. She didn’t take school seriously until 10th grade; teacher Mabel Feland helped inspire Bev’s call to teaching. The family moved to Oregon in 1942. Bev attended business college for a year before enrolling in Cascade College in Portland. At Cascade, she met lifelong friend Gerry Custer. The two not only shared crazy jokes, wild adventures and quarts of ice cream, but challenged each other to live wholeheartedly for God. Gerry went to Burundi as a missionary nurse. In her visits there, Bev came to love East Africa as well. A few months after graduation in 1947, Bev joined the Cascade faculty as a PE teacher. Soon she was teaching history as well. She completed her master’s in education and a master of arts at the University of Oregon. In 1961, she began teaching history at Lake Oswego High School, then transferred to the new Lakeridge High School in 1971. Bev was able to use travel throughout the Western world to fulfill continuing education requirements for teaching. She loved meeting all kinds of people and learning about the world. When China began to reopen to the West, she visited with a group of teachers. Slides from summer trips made her classes more interesting; she often gave presentations at churches and civic organizations. After retirement in 1987, she continued to travel, visiting over 100 countries and all the continents except Antarctica. At the homes she shared with her sister Marion, Bev oversaw the yard work and maintenance and was quick to get meals on the table. The sisters spent every holiday with Kathleen’s family, had lots of fun with their nieces and nephew, and were great role models. Bev held leadership roles at St John’s Wesleyan Methodist and Clackamas Park Friends churches, sang and played the organ. She always followed world news and football. In 2005, Bev and Marion moved to Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg. Many friends from Cascade lived there and the sisters made new friends. Bev always tried to learn names and give an encouraging word. Her independent spirit showed even when she needed increasing physical care in the last years. She often showed appreciation for the help, even when she was confused and sad about Marion’s death the year before her own. Bev is survived by nieces and nephews Cheryl Edwards and Rowene and George Beals of Holland, Michigan, Clifford Edwards and Loree Oberle-Edwards of San Diego, California; great nephews Erik and Kristen Beals of Long Island, New York and Evan Beals of Holland, Michigan. The family deeply appreciates Friendsview residents and staff. Caregivers treated Bev as they would want to be treated, were patient, encouraging, respectful and saw the whole person. Providence health providers, including Elder at Home and Hospice took a similar approach. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, 10:00 am at Newberg Friends Church, 307 South College Street. A podcast will be available later at https://newbergfriends.org/resources/memorial-services/ Memorials may be directed to a cause the donor is passionate about, or to World Hope International, worldhope.org or P.O. Box 743794, Atlanta, GA 30374-3794

Beverly Doris Kelsven

May 30, 1925 - November 12, 2017