Beverly Jean Thompson

Beverly Jean (Brown) Thompson, 87, of Yuma, Arizona, passed from this life on Wednesday,
July 24, 2024, in the comfort of her home under the care of Yuma Hospice and surrounded by
the love of her family. Beverly’s determined spirit was released from pain after battling several
chronic conditions for many years and was welcomed into the loving arms of her three older
sisters and two of her cherished younger brothers. A private family celebration of life will be
held next summer according to Beverly’s wishes. Yuma Mortuary and Crematory has been
entrusted with the arrangements.

Beverly was born on June 5, 1937, in Fairbury, NE, to Glen and Ella (Haake) Brown and raised
on the family farm in Daykin, NE, along with her six siblings. Bev developed both physical and
emotional strength on the farm along with a strong work ethic, a can-do attitude, and a deep
loyalty to family. A 1955 graduate of Daykin High, Beverly continued her education as a
student athlete at Peru State Teachers College where she met her husband, Richard, marrying
in 1958 during their senior year. Together they raised four children: Karen, Cheryl, John and
Eric.

In her early life, Bev taught physical education in Nebraska, Colorado, and California,
advocating for girls’ athletics wherever she went. After moving to Iowa, Beverly left teaching and
enjoyed a long, successful career with United Parcel Service as a supervisor at both the UPS
hub and the Des Moines airport. Bev’s competitive nature was hard to match; from her mean
serve on the volleyball court, to any card or board game, to having the fastest sort team at UPS,
to a game of ping pong with Richard or a game of miniature golf with the grandkids.

After retirement, Bev and Rich took to the road to pursue their love of traveling as full-time
RVers. They spent many happy years touring the country and reuniting with family and friends
along the way. Summers were often spent at Cutty’s in Des Moines, so Bev could spend time
with her grandchildren. Very fond memories of swimming, paddle boating, cardplaying,
campfires, miniature golf, and the Western Village were created with Grandma Thompson. She
was also notorious for allowing the grandkids to eat pop tarts and ice cream for breakfast.

Beverly’s love for her family will be her greatest legacy; her love for family knew no bounds.
Beverly was a loyal and loving wife and mother and a shining example of unconditional love and
devotion, putting the needs of others ahead of her own. Bev treasured her children and
grandchildren and was always there to provide them with comfort, support and a good laugh.

Bev and Rich often traveled across the country to reunite with Bev’s six siblings and their
spouses. They camped in the mountains and deserts playing cards, cooking, eating, four-
wheeling, snowmobiling, line dancing, and laughing. The memory of the love and devotion
shared amongst the seven Brown siblings will be cherished by their children and grandchildren.

Beverly was predeceased by her parents; her siblings Doris (Collins) Morgan, Shirley (Joe)
Mammano, Donna (Vinal) Casper, Jerome Brown, and Forrest David Brown; her nephew Tony
Morgan and her niece Stephanie Lankford.

Left to cherish Bev’s memory are her husband of 65 years, Richard; her beloved youngest
brother, Jon Brown; her children Karen (Frank) Roessler, Cheryl (Alan Young) Thompson, John
Thompson, and Eric Thompson; her grandchildren Aaron (Agustina Prigoshin) Loupee, Kim
(Ben) McHugh, Robin Eiken, Jessica Thompson, and Ella Thompson; her great-grandchildren Kai and Oliver Loupee; Dylan, Scarlett and Jacob McHugh; and Ashton and Jace Elliot; in-laws
DeVee Brown, Betty Brown, William Robert and Beverly Jones, and Janet Gress; many loving
nieces and nephews and her special Ankeny friend, Vernie Buttz.

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