Beverly Mary (VanKirk) Simonsen, 70, of Bancroft, NE passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. The visitation will be on Friday, July 1, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft. The funeral will be on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bancroft, with Pastor Charity Potter officiating. Burial will be in the Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.
Beverly was born on December 31, 1951, in Wayne, NE, to Marvin and Mary Ellan (Henderson) VanKirk. She attended and graduated from Bancroft High School in 1970. Following graduation, she married Alan “Shorty” Simonsen on September 5, 1970, and moved to Germany with him. When she returned to Bancroft, she started her own in-home daycare. For several years Beverly cared for several children in the area and treated them as if they were her own. Beverly also worked for Madonna’s Bridal Shop in Norfolk and at the Bancroft-Rosalie School. Before retiring, Beverly enjoyed cooking at Grandma’s Attic in Bancroft.
Beverly was always busy with hobbies including, cooking, baking, tending to her flowers, sewing penny mats, going to antique stores and flea markets. She loved singing with the Queenston Trio in Northeast Nebraska and was in the “Club” which met once a month as a social group. Beverly and Alan enjoyed traveling together and never liked to pass by a winery without stopping in. She was active in the First Presbyterian Church, serving as the clerk for 30 years, as well as serving in other committees within the church. Beverly loved her family dearly and considered her grandchildren her number one hobby, she thoroughly enjoyed attending all their activities.
Beverly is survived by her husband, Alan Simonsen of Bancroft, NE; son, Brent (Kari) Simonsen of West Point, NE; daughters, Brooke (Chad) Hoefs of Lincoln, NE, Kristen (Waylon) Marr of Lincoln, NE; father, Marvin VanKirk of West Point, NE; sisters, Barb (Don) Nelson of Bancroft, NE, Debbie (Rick) Faltys of Clarkson, NE; brother, Larry (Diane) VanKirk of Bancroft, NE; sister-in-law, Carol Simonsen of Norfolk; grandchildren, Riley (Alexis) Simonsen, Chett Simonsen (Bailey Aden), Tessa Simonsen, Wyatt Marr, Garret Hoefs, Haleigh Hoefs, Hayden Marr.
Beverly is preceded in death by her mother; brother, Ron (Carole) VanKirk; brother-in-law, Glen Simonsen.