Kowalke, Beverly J. 1935-2015

KOWALKE, SMITH, PEEBLES

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/3/2015 at 19:01:37

Carlson Funeral Home
LeMars, Iowa

Beverly Kowalke, 79, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Sunday, August 23, 2015 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars. Reverend Dr. Jean Ziettlow and Reverend Peter Rosenkvist will officiate. Inurnment will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday at the church.

Beverly Joyce Smith was born September 11, 1935 in Le Mars, Iowa, the daughter of Ray and Phyllis (Peebles) Smith. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. She attended school in Le Mars and graduated from Central High School.

She was united in marriage to Herman “Junior” Kowalke on June 6, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Early on, they lived on a farm Union Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa. Beverly worked at Union Consolidated School. Later, she went to work as a nurse’s aide for Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars until she owned and operated All Around Brown tanning service out of her home in Le Mars until retiring. In June of 2013, they became residents of Plymouth Manor in Le Mars. Junior passed away June 24, 2013 in Le Mars.

She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, where she was active in W.E.L.C.A. for many years. She loved bowling and was active in many bowling leagues through the years. She also enjoyed playing cards with her family and crocheting. But most of all, she loved the times spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughter: Kathy (Steve) Sitzmann of Le Mars; her grandchildren: Adam (Carol) Sitzmann and their children Kyle and Claudia, Travis (LeAnn) Sitzmann and their children Ava, Jefferson, and Matthew, Tina (Tyler) Huls and their children Carter and Madison, Tyler Sitzmann and his children Hayden and Mason, and Amy Jolley and her children Jenslee and Tristan; a sister: Jan (Dick) Gaul of Le Mars; a brother: Ron Smith of Le Mars; sisters in law: Ione (Don) Harpenau of California and Marlene (Nick) Wurth of Oklahoma; a brother in law: Marvin (Ruby) Kowalke of Iowa City, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Junior Kowalke; a son: Steven Kowalke; a brother: Ray Smith; and a sister in law: Ina Smith.