GOULD, Beverly J. (1933-2022)

GOULD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/30/2023 at 19:07:38

Beverly June Gould
(February 12, 1933 - August 8, 2022)

Beverly passed peacefully, as she slept on Monday, August 8, 2022, at the age of 89.
Beverly was born February 12, 1933, on the family farm near Athelstan, Iowa to Turner Joe and Bessie May (Brown) Rusco (Stitt). She had paternal half-siblings, Royal and Marjorie, and siblings, Jack, Mildred, and Peg. After her mother remarried Leland Stitt, she gained a stepbrother and sister, Larry and Shirley. She went to elementary school in Athelstan and attended Conway schools from fourth grade through graduation. Bev was active in basketball (guard), 4-H, softball, worked on the “Chatter” school newspaper, was class president and/or secretary-treasurer all four years of high school, and was homecoming queen. In 1949 and 1950, she won the state free throw contest that was held at the Drake Field House. During her freshman year, after her father passed, Bev worked at the county home, catching the school bus driven by her future brother-in-law, Robert. While busy with all of her high school activities, she also found time to court her high school sweetheart, Eldon. It was a snowy morning January 4, 1952, on the day Beverly wed Eldon, son of Fred and Eva (Goff) Gould (Straight) at the Conway Methodist Church. By 1:00, the sunshine had melted the snow, and school was let out early to ensure all of Eldon and Beverly’s family, friends, and school staff could attend their wedding. Dragging cans and boots behind their full car, the newlyweds moved to Panama City, Florida where Eldon was stationed at the Tyndall Air Field. Their time in Florida was short-lived due to Eldon’s injury. On the medical flight to Biloxi, Mississippi an expectant Beverly was strapped into a parachute and put into the plane with Eldon. Following the birth of Randy, came Joan, then the surprise of twins, Ron and Rick, then came Jeff, and another surprise, Diane. The family resided in Des Moines for 15 years and moved to Clarinda, Iowa to open a Western Auto store. After Randy graduated high school, the family moved to Carlisle in 1970 where the other five children graduated high school and Beverly resided until she moved to Indianola. Beverly dedicated her entire life to her one true love, Eldon, and her family. They opened their home to many over the years. While the children were growing up, Beverly could be found not only raising her children but providing childcare in their home for 53 children over a span of 42 years. She has been known for her love of baking and making homemade meals, reading, sewing, and doing ceramics. As the children were growing up, they attended church and she often volunteered with Cub Scouts, was a Brownie leader, and enjoyed coffee with her neighbors. After retirement, Bev and Eldon would travel in their Winnebago, visiting family across the United States, oftentimes traveling with friends or family. Later in life, Beverly kept herself busy attending her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s functions. She was often found attending soccer games, dance recitals, plays, chorus/band concerts, wrestling meets, softball games, and driving past the newest Building Trade’s project. Bev also enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and wedding events. She was often busy pup-sitting her granddogs. Her grandchildren will greatly miss her Christmas candy, famous, homemade brownies, and her unconditional love and support.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Eldon Gould; Grandchildren Jessica Thomas (Tanner Hauck), Nicole Thomas, Cody Hardy, Christian Hardy, and Cayleigh Hardy; Great Grandson, Brock Gould. Beverly was also preceded in death by many extended family members and her beloved dog, Maggie. Beverly is survived by her children, Randy (Barb) Gould, Joan (Phil) Thomas, Ron Gould, Rick (Dorothy) Gould, Jeff (Mary) Gould, and Diane (Chris) Hardy; grandchildren, Neal (Amy) Gould, Jennifer Thill, Amanda (Josh) Wigginton, Rebecca Thomas, Nicole (Jeff) Essink, Kelsie Gould (London), Sarah Gould (Dana), Ryan Gould, Aaron (Teresa) Gould, Jason Gould (Alisa), Stephanie Gould (Andy), Emily (Mike) Caulkins, Jake Gould (Chrissie), and Cortney (Chad) Hein; great-grandchildren Meredith and Savannah Gould, Leah, King, and Nayeli Wigginton, Ben and Kaity Essink, Niko Cropp-Smith, Kadence Lisk and Zoey and Libby Gould, Anna Gould, Kamryn and Kolette Milem and Kalista Cosper, Bryce Caulkins, and Hadley and Montana Hein. Beverly is also survived by her sister, Peggy Jincks, sisters-in-law, Lois Downing and Connie Gould, many nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog number two, Lizzie.
Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at the Indianola First Baptist Church with burial following in the Carlisle Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to services from 9:30 to 10:30 at the church. Memorials may be given in Beverly’s name to the Iowa SID’s Foundation or Iowa Heart Association. [This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/]