Beverly Jean Demaree

Beverly J. Demaree passed away Saturday, July 23, 2016 at her home in Lincoln, Nebraska at age 81. She was born June 26, 1935 to George and Mickey (Schaffer) Jacobs in Lincoln. She married the love of her life, Harold L. Demaree, on August 17, 1957.

Bev’s great grandparents were Germans from Russia, and she grew up in the Russian Bottoms until 5th grade. Schools she attended were Park, Hayward, Prescott, Irving and Lincoln High. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Nebraska in 1957 and was a proud sorority member of Gamma Phi Beta. She taught at Holmes Elementary until moving in 1961 to Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA while Harry served for two years in the Air Force. Upon their return to Lincoln, with their three children (Mike, Lori and Julie), Harry started a dental practice and Bev became active in Junior League, March of Dimes, PTA, Young Life, Faith at Work, and spiritual direction. Bev and Harry enjoyed bowling, bridge, dancing, church retreats, community, travel, and entertaining guests in their home.

In 1981, the Demaree family moved to Austin, TX where they started a dental office design business. Bev worked as COO for many years. She also enjoyed time with her grandchildren and took up an avid interest in her family’s history and genealogy. She and Harry also loved to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Bev moved back to Lincoln in 2013 to The Legacy Estates. She spent the last years of her life enjoying time with family, friends, community activities, Big Red football and coconut shrimp. She also enjoyed Bingo, Spider Solitaire, Suduko puzzles, and her daily devotional and meditation.

Bev is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter Lori. She is survived by her children Mike Demaree and Julie Demaree; her grandchildren Karis Lange (and husband Ryan), Micaiah Ward, Anna Lytle (and husband Kelby), and Jake Olszewski; three great grandsons; her brother Richard Jacobs (and wife Dianne); seven nieces and their families, and many cousins and friends.

A memorial service to honor and remember Bev’s life will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 12:30 at Lincoln Memorial, with a light reception immediately following. Please join the family for a dinner party at Legacy Estates that evening starting at 5:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease: www. michaeljfox.org or P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.