Beverly Joan Waters

Rock Rapids, IA Beverly Waters, age 82 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, October 23, 2015 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. A memorial mass will be held 10:30 AM, Monday, Oct. 26th at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, with Father Bruce Lawler officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church Monday morning. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Beverly Joan was born November 8, 1932 near Minden, Iowa, the daughter of George W. and Matilda M. (Wohlert) Bauerkemper. As a young girl her family moved to a farm south of Walnut, Iowa. She attended country school and graduated from Walnut High School in 1950. After graduation she moved to Omaha, NE and began working for Union Pacific Railroad. She was united in marriage to Patrick Waters on January 23, 1955 at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, IA. She continued working for Union Pacific Railroad until moving to Atlantic, IA where she was employed part-time with Rock Island Railroad. In April of 1964 they moved to Rock Rapids, IA. For many years Bev was Secretary-Treasurer of the school board and Business Manager of Central Lyon Schools. She retired in 1995 after 30 years of service to the Central Lyon Community School District. She was a very active and energetic woman who enjoyed golfing, playing cards (especially Bridge), crocheting, sewing and fishing. Bev especially enjoyed the time spent with her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a selfless and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a great sense of humor and was a true lover of life. She is survived by her husband of nearly 61 years, Patrick Waters of Rock Rapids, IA; daughter, JoBeth Cook of McCook Lake, SD; three grandchildren, Meghan (Adam) Rozell, and their children, Grady and Brock of Elk Point, SD; Kristen (Brian) Schmitz of Elk Point, SD; and Ryan Cook of McCook Lake, SD; sister, Darlene Christensen of Omaha, NE; and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Matilda Bauerkemper; her son, Thomas Waters; and brother, Darrell Bauerkemper.