Beverly Jean Larsen

After 93 years of a beautiful, loving, remarkable life, Beverly Jean Larsen left her bereaved anddevoted family for her Heavenly Home on May 3, 2023. She joins her beloved husband ofnearly 70 years, Willard Larsen, parents Edith and Ed Markquart, her brother Lee Markquartand sister Rene Hawkins, and a host of aunts and cousins, enjoying the ultimate celestialDanish Hygge.

Beverly Jean Markquart was born on Jan. 10, 1930 in Dunnell Minnesota and was the firstborngrandchild in a large, joyful, close knit Danish family. She was adorable and adored, was adead ringer for Shirley Temple, and learned to sing and dance in her style. Her father had asuccessful gas station and car dealership in Jackson, Minnesota, where she was raised amongfrequent family gatherings with her 11 uncles and aunts. Going to Stephen’s College was oneof the highlights of her life, and playing violin in the orchestra was a privilege she cherished. Ata Newman Center Dance, her future husband Will fell in love with her with a glance across thedance floor. Will would say, “I fell in love with her for all the wrong reasons, but luckily all theright reasons were there.” They had a loving and happy marriage and devoted themselves toraising their three children in Milwaukee, WI:, Greg Larsen, of Maine and Oaxaca, EllenBrumder (husband Nick) of Waihi, New Zealand, and John Larsen (wife Meg) of Milwaukee andNaples Florida. They have 7 grandchildren; Sophia Buchanan, Julia Brumder Harris, Nicholas P.Brumder, C. Lucia Brumder and Theresa Brumder, and Dana and Jack Larsen, as well as 8Grandchildren:Mary Mead, Liam and Bridget Buchanan, Thekla Brumder Grubbs, Esther andHenrietta Harris and Milo and Margot Williamson in New Zealand.

Beverly was the heart and soul of her family, and unconditionally loved us all, so that each feltto be a treasured favorite. She enjoyed caring for Dana and Jack when they were babies,which created a lifelong bond and the newest babies in the family, Esther and Henrietta Harris,gave Beverly immense pleasure in the final years of her life. Sophia and her family moved tobe near her grandparents, providing love and support. Playing cards followed a familytradition, and she was always ready for a game of 500 rummy with grandchildren Mary Mead,Liam, Bridget and Thekla and was very proud of them all. Bev was a Lifetime Grand Master inBridge, which she played throughout her life and she enjoyed traveling with friends to bridgetournaments.

While in their 70’s, Bev and Will left their wonderful life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for a warmerclimate in Texas and to help with Ellen and Nick’s 5th baby, Lucia. In Georgetown, Beverlyhad her dream of designing and building her own home: a lovely French styled home in BerryCreek. Along with her Tuscany garden, which brought so many years of joy as she got older,her home reflected her love of beauty and exquisite taste. She and Will quickly becameembedded in life in Georgetown and were very happy there, enjoying the grandchildren and avibrant social life.

A long time parishioner at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Georgetown, Beverly converted toCatholicism at the time of her marriage. Initially, Beverly hoped she would bring her futurehusband into the Lutheran fold of her family where there are 3 Lutheran ministers. In recentyears, she asked her dynamic Lutheran Minister brother, Ed Markquart, with whom she enjoyedweekly laughter and conversations, if he would give the eulogy at her funeral but only to saygood things about her. Ed replied, “Yes, Bev, and you know I am an exceptionally goodbullshitter.”

Volunteering for her favorite causes was a big part of Beverly’s life. While President of theStephen’s College Alumni in Milwaukee, she published a cookbook, The Stephen’s Cookbook,to benefit the college she so loved. She worked for over a decade on the Board of Directors forPublic Television (PBS) and was often on TV while she ran a fundraising auction in those earlydays, looking very beautiful and poised. Then for 14 years, she was on the Board of the ArtistSeries at the Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee, bringing in top musicians to that historic venue.Beverly had a beautiful singing voice, was a talented pianist herself and had a life long love ofclassical music.

Beverly loved Christmas and made every Christmas a radiant celebration of faith and family,decorating her house in high Victorian fashion, inside and out. Many a wonderful dinner wasserved at her Christmas table, with friends and family, always followed by caroling around herpiano, in the old days, with her leading the playing and singing. This tradition continued to thislast Christmas, and her Christmas tree, full of lights and beautiful ornaments collected over theyears, towered over the glowing Nativity Scene below it. Many happy celebrations took placearound Beverly in her home, creating memories that will warm the hearts of her family andfriends in the years of missing her ahead. Thanks to the valiant efforts of Sophia and Julia,John and Meg, Patrick Buchanan, Lily Vasquez, a team of wonderful caregivers over the years,and the compassionate care of Hospice, Beverly was able to have her wish fulfilled of dying inthe home she so loved, surrounded by love and family.

Twenty years ago, Beverly and Will were seminal supporters of Ellen and Nick’s founding a newcemetery, Our Lady of the Rosary  Cemetery and Prayer Gardens. Her enthusiasm for this burialsanctuary full of gardens, wildflowers and sacred art drew key people to the project, and Bevenjoyed success in her position as a sales representative. The Lily Cross in white stone on her gravereflects her design inspiration, and her beloved Will’s ashes will be placed beside her natural burial.Beverly was intrigued by the wonders of Heaven and looking forward to the Great Reunion withher loved ones, and most especially her beloved husband Will, and her mother, Edith. Forthose of us left behind and mourning her, we part with our beloved Mother, Grandmother,Sister, and Friend with this farewell: “See you in Heaven!”

On Saturday May 6, a Memorial Service will be held at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown, with Rosary at 10:30 am, followed by a Celebration of Life lead by Pastor Ed Markquart of Seattle, and Burial at 12:30 pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens. 

Donations may be made in Beverly’s memory to the Georgetown Public Library or the Caring Place in Georgetown.