Beverly Jane Rawlings, 94, wife, mother and dear friend to many, died peacefully on November 18, 2016, at Sheridan Manor in Sheridan, Wyoming. In honoring Bev, the family suggests that you share a story about her! Take time with your family and friends, travel somewhere exciting, read a really good book — learn something — and make a toast to enduring friendships lifelong and beyond.
Bev was born February 17, 1922 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Joseph and Lucille Molitor. Bev received a B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene from Marquette University in 1942 then moved to Liberal, Kansas, to work on the Air Force Base during WWII. After the war, Bev and her best friend Janet Livingston decided they wanted to travel the world — they made it as far as Sheridan, Wyoming, where they both met their future husbands. Bev transferred to the Sheridan VA Hospital and married Byron B. Rawlings in 1946, raising four children. After the VA position, Bev worked with the Kane Dental Group. Many years after her husband passed, she became reacquainted with an old high school sweetheart, Ray Strelow from Milwaukee. They shared 15 years together, traveling, cooking and creating beautiful gardens.
Bev had many passions in her life but her children were her top priority! She taught them to have a zest for life; modeling her belief in life-long-learning by graduating with a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica at 76 years young!
Her home was always open to friends — young and old. She hosted a zillion game nights with bottomless pots of soup. She loved people, laughing and activity. She read voraciously and enjoyed deep conversations over a glass of wine. Many of us benefited from her generosity and were blessed to learn valuable lessons during her 94 years! The biggest lesson was to never stop living and sharing kindness.
Bev is survived by her son Bill Rawlings, Sheridan, WY; daughters Connie (John) Rawlings-Dritsas, Portland, OR, and Teena (Brian Krzyzanowski) Rawlings, Phoenix, AZ; son-in-law Mark Beadle, Billings, MT; grandson Jared (Ciera), Rawlings, Sheridan, WY; granddaughter Jadrian (Mike) Verheek, Newton, NJ and great-granddaughter Amelia Verheek also of Newton, NJ.
Preceding her in death, husband Byron B. Rawlings of Sheridan, WY; partner Raymond Strelow, Sheridan, WY; and daughter Cindy Rawlings Beadle of Billings, MT.
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
