Beverly R. Seefeldt

Oconomowoc – Beverly went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 21, 2020, age 83, and was reunited with her first husband, John and second husband, Herb.

Precious mother of John Kadow, Rose (John) Ivy, and Liz (Dave) Riedel.  Loving grandma of John (Kate), Jacob (Kelsey), and Maile. Sweet great grandma of Rhys and Bennett.  Beloved sister of Audrey, Marian and Floyd (Mary). Preceded in death by her siblings Melvin, Vernon (Lillian), and Harriet.  Further survived by other family members and friends.

Mom grew up in Powers, Michigan, on a farm with her 3 sisters and 3 brothers.  Mom and her siblings remained close throughout their lives. As a young girl, Mom preferred helping with household chores to helping in the barns.  In the summertime, Mom did not get out of helping her siblings hand pick beans all summer on the one acre bean plot used to bring in extra income. Mom told stories about the hard work and scarcity she grew up with, but also the abundant love, fun times she had with her brothers and sisters, and how much she loved her Mother, Rose. 

After graduating from Powers Spalding  High School in 1954, Mom moved to Chicago to live with her sister, Marian, while employed at the Wrigley Gum Factory.  Later she moved to Milwaukee and lived with her sister Harriet. In Milwaukee she met the first love of her life, our Dad (John Kadow), at a dance at the Eagles Ballroom.  They were married in 1958 and soon started her family in 1959. 

Mom embraced her roles as both wife and mother with love, dedication and selflessness.  She often went without, prioritizing the needs of her family, especially in those early years.  She never complained, always making sure her children and husband had what they needed and were taken care of.  One of our fondest memories as kids was coming home from school to find 3 homemade apple pies made with apples from Aunt Audrey’s trees.  Of course, the apple pie had to wait until we ate supper, and supper was always a homemade meal. We had fun on family vacations camping at many campgrounds around the state, and one year a road trip to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands.

At the young age of 46 Mom became a widow.  Mom went through an emotionally hard time. She never thought she would lose her soul mate at such a young age.  She learned to drive and went back to work first at Draw Drape Cleaners and then the Marc Plaza Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.  Within a few years she met the second love of her life, our stepdad Herb, at a widower’s/widow’s support group at St. Luke’s. She married Herb in 1985 and moved to Wauwatosa.  They spent their early years gardening, going to tractor and car shows, farm shows, picnicking at the land, and some road trips out west. One of their pastimes was clearing dead wood from the land to heat the house through winter.  Mom devoted the same care and love to Herb and her second home. During this time Mom was able to continue with her sewing and crafts making amazing projects with plastic canvas. She built numerous dollhouses complete with furnishings and working lights.  Mom sewed beautifully without needing a pattern. She was a scrapbook maniac.

Mom loved all things Barbie.  Mom became quite the fashionista in later years, always wanting to be coordinated and accessorized like Barbie.

Mom’s biggest joy was her family, grandkids, and great grandkids.  She loved to play games with the grandchildren whether it was sitting on the carpet with a board game or playing ball in the driveway.  When she finally got a granddaughter, she continuously sewed dresses and doll clothes.

In 2016 Mom’s Parkinson’s Disease began catching up to her.  She needed more care and moved in with her daughter Liz and eventually Azura Memory Care.  Mom really liked her apartment at Azura and the comforts it offered for her, as well as the activities and caring staff.  She had her Barbies in her apartment. We enjoyed making seasonal door displays with them. Everyone loved walking by her room to see what the new door display would look like.

It always bothered Mom that she and Herb did not spend their remaining years together.  Herb passed in August 2019. Mom took a downturn after the New Year. As her ability to walk and move decreased, she became increasingly upset with her physical condition.   She told us she was ready to go home to the Lord. 

We will always be grateful and blessed for being brought up in a Christian faith-based family.  Mom wanted each of us to know Jesus’ love for us. We have no doubt Mom is at peace with the Lord.  Mom would often tell us that you must accept the Lord as your Saviour. Nothing else of this world matters.

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held at a later date once it is possible to gather in person.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at Azura Memory Care of Oconomowoc for the hard work and kindness shown to our Mom and all her neighbors.