Beverly Else

Beverly E. (Whiteman) Else was born at home in Sioux City, Iowa, on October 12, 1936 to Alva and Faye (Metcalf) Whiteman. Bev was the youngest of 5 children, although one had passed away before she was born. She lived her early years in Sioux City, IA and then moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Bev graduated from high school and also took one year of college at Toccoa Falls Academy and College in Toccoa Falls, Georgia. She especially enjoyed singing in a school Christian women’s trio while she was a student. In later years of life she would often talk about how much she loved her high school and college years there. She enjoyed describing the beauty of nature that is somewhat unique there, including a beautiful 186 ft plunging waterfall on campus. Following her education, she moved to Oskaloosa Iowa where she lived with her married sister, Lois (Whiteman) Menneke, and worked as a dental assistant in an upper level of a store front overlooking the city square. During that time, she met Harlan Else at a church function while he was home for a break from college. They were married September 15, 1956, but soon after their wedding her husband was was surprised with a peace-time draft notice into the Army. He was required to leave his new wife in Iowa while being sent to Basic Training in Arkansas. After his initial training, his wife was allowed to join him and they assigned to a military post in southern California where he served the remainder of his active duty. Their first child was born while they lived there. When Harlan’s active duty was complete, the small family moved back to University Park in south-central Iowa, then to te farm outside of Fremont where Harlan had lived as a child and teenager. There Bev gave birth to 2 more sons and remained a devoted wife and full-time mother. A few years later they moved to eastern Iowa where a daughter and another son were born. In 1968 the family settled in Iowa Falls where their 5 children graduated from high school. They always enjoyed growing a large vegetable garden, and generously shared their harvests with neighbors and friends. During those years Bev and her family were very involved with the Iowa Falls Church of the Nazarene. She prayed often for her children, and taught them from an early age the importance of Bible reading, praying, faithful church attendance, and most importantly to honor and love the Lord for themselves. She also gave to each of them a love for music. Her children remember when she regularly sang in church services during her young adult years. She was a Sunday School teacher, missionary society president, church board member, was active in the women’s ministries, and generally was a friendly encourager to everyone. During the first two decades of marriage, she was a loving devoted wife and full-time mother, but after her youngest children began attending high school and college she worked a few years at a luggage manufacturing company, and then in a very popular local bakery. During retirement, she volunteered at a senior center & meal site, which she enjoyed very much. After about 40 years in Iowa Falls, Bev and Harlan moved to State Center IA to be near their daughter Kathy’s family. In their new community she and Harlan enjoyed active participation in the Marshalltown Church of the Nazarene and the friendships they formed in the church became deeply significant to them. Bev suffered a stroke followed by severe dementia during her last few years. In 2018 she and Harlan moved to an assisted living community in Omaha near their son Mark. Yet, in spite of her mental and physical health limitations, she enjoyed singing old hymns and gospel songs with whoever offered to sing with her. She also loved having someone read the Bible and pray with her. During her last few months, she and her husband lived in a skilled nursing memory care center in Omaha. On the morning of August 30, 2021, Bev enjoyed eating a big breakfast with Harlan, as was usual for her, then sat beside him for a while holding his hand. After a while she appeared to doze off and very peacefully she was ushered into the land of eternal joy. Since her stroke a few years previous she often comment how she wished she could move on to Heaven and enter into the presence of the Lord Jesus whom she had loved since childhood. No doubt the sorrow and grief her family and friends feel is pale compared to the delights she is experiencing, now and for all eternity. Bev is preceded in death by: her parents; her siblings: Esther, Ernie, Wesley, and Lois; a grandson, Anthony Else; a nephew, Randy Matheny, and a niece Dorothy (Dot) Carroll She is survived by her husband, Harlan, and her five children and beloved spouses: Mark (Paula) Else of Omaha, NE; Michael (Darla) Else of Indianapolis, CA; Timothy (Nancy Flanagan) Else of Placerville, CA; Kathy (Brant) York of State Center, IA; and Kevin (Cindy) Else of Indianola. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren: Rebecca (Lee) Williams, Mitzi (Jerry) Dennison, Brittnie Else, Andrew (Lyndsey) Else, David Else, Daniel Else, Diana (Kass) Feuerhelm, Matthew York, Anna York, Joshua (Crissy Cozad) McCoy, Danielle (Jake) Barnes, Shalene (Sam) Bedwell, and recently-widowed granddaughter-in-law Jeanna (Anthony) Else. Also, Beverly has 19 great-grandchildren, 20+ nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Judy Whiteman A public memorial service to celebrate Bev’s life will be held at the Marshalltown Church of the Nazarene on Friday, October 15, 2021 at 11 AM. Visitation will be at at the church beginning at 10:30 AM.