Marilyn Ruth Bevard

Marilyn Ruth Bevard was born on May 18, 1930, her mother's birthday, to Emily (Johnson) and Harold 'Brownie' Liesman. She had a happy childhood on a farm in Logan County, IL, with loving parents and her brother, Merle and sister, Diane and many cousins. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln, IL. Marilyn graduated from high school in Atlanta, IL in 1948 and graduated from Women's Business School in Peoria, IL. She worked at Illico, in Lincoln, IL. On her 22nd birthday she married George Edward Bevard. They moved several times locating in Quincy, IL, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Wayzata, MN, finally settling in Cherokee, IA in the fall of 1966. The family fell in love with Cherokee and their beloved home at 802 W. Main Street. Their last move took them to Aurelia, IA, another community they dearly loved. Marilyn was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She took great pride in her church where she was a member of the choir and was active in the Ladies Circle. She had a deep faith in God that was evident in every aspect of her life. She was a dedicated volunteer for the local Red Cross, enjoyed helping in county elections, delivering Meals on Wheels, helped with the Cherokee County Fund Drive as well as various other community fund raisers. Card playing, reading, and going for walks were her favorite pastimes. Her home was hospitable and welcoming, warm and inviting. She made excellent meals and always made family birthdays extra special. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends and did so often. She also loved babies and was known for her excellent cuddling and rocking skills. She worked for over twenty years at Fashionette as a sales clerk and book keeper. She also owned Fashion Centre Beauty Salon. Marilyn was lovely in manner and appearance, and always fun to be with. She laughed a lot and always lit up a room with her presence. She was an inspiration to her family, as well as their biggest cheerleader. Marilyn truly was an eternal optimist. Treasuring memories of a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend are her daughter, Cherie (Denny) Holton; two sons, Todd Bevard and Tom (Connie) BeVard; grandchildren: Melanie (Todd) Benson, Heather (Jason) Swarthout, Stasia (Matt) Sherman, Christopher (Ashley) Bevard, and Rob (Jennifer) Miller; her great-grandchildren: Jack, Joe, Trey, and Harper Benson and Will, Mitch, and Tatum Swarthout; her loving sister, Diane Liesman of McLean, VA, and her nephew and five nieces. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; parents, Brownie and Emily; mother and father in law, George and Martha BeVard; brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Mary Liesman; brothers-in-law and their wives, Bill and Millie Johnson, Tom and Carolyn BeVard, and John BeVard; as well as great-niece, Betsy Clark; and great-nephews, Jon Liesman and Clint Clark.

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CASKET BEARERS

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