Beverly P. Carl

Beverly P. (Sturm) Carl, loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many met her Heavenly Father on Monday, March 31, 2008 at the Frances Georgeson Hospice House in Naples, Florida, following a brief and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Bev was born on June 3, 1933 in New London, WI. She graduated from Little Wolf High School in Manawa and continued her education at Valparaiso University and the University of Iowa. Her working career included positions with A. Sturm & Sons, Inc. and Attorney Gerald Anderson. On March 22, 1964, Bev married DuWayne "Dewey" Carl and they resided in Neenah for ten years. Upon returning to Manawa, Bev demonstrated her heartfelt pride and commitment to her hometown by generously offering her time and talents to numerous organizations and community events. She was a confirmed member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Manawa, and was active in Futurae Club, Bridge Club, Dance Club and the Manawa Women's Club and its bridge marathon. Bev was instrumental in planning and constructing the Manawa Community sign located on the Triangle and the welcome signs at the town entrances. Every year she looked forward to the Manawa Mid-Western Rodeo, working enthusiastically alongside friends in the hot dog section of the concession stand. Bev and her husband continued her parent's legacy by contributing countless hours and support to Lions International, the Wisconsin Lions, the Wisconsin Lions Camp, and the Lions Pride Campaign, and she was a recipient of the Birch-Sturm and Melvin Jones Fellowship awards. She supported St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, receiving the Parent's Award and recognition by the Heritage Society. Bev possessed an exceptional talent for planning and organizing, whether serving on a committee, hosting a memorable occasion for friends and family or coordinating her huge annual multi-family rummage sale. Managing a very active social calendar was her forté which included many special celebrations with the "Birthday Group." An avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan, numerous trips were taken to attend games around the country. Coordinating tailgate parties was her specialty. Always a "winner," Bev looked forward to frequent road trips with her dear friend Millie. Bev traveled extensively throughout the world in her lifetime and for the past ten years she and Dewey wintered in Naples, Florida where they attended Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church and enjoyed golfing and socializing with friends. Bev loved to shop and eagerly anticipated shopping and luncheon dates with her daughter and granddaughters. Her biggest passion and love in life was spending time with her family and being a very special part of each of their lives. Bev will be sorrowfully missed by her family, loving friends, and the countless lives she touched throughout her life. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Dewey Carl, son Randy of Scottsdale, AZ and his special friend Lilly Hagen, daughter Mary (Carl) Mann of Neenah, WI and her husband John, son David of Waukesha, WI and his wife Judy, and grandchildren Carmine Mann, Winston-Salem, NC, Kristina Mann, Appleton, WI, and Danny Carl, Waukesha, WI. She is further survived by her loving cousin and "brother" Jack Sturm, Godson Cal Kasper, Goddaughter Lori (Freiberg) Seubert, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Norma (Kasper) Sturm. Visitation will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 742 Depot Street, Manawa, WI from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. A service honoring and celebrating Bev's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Wallace Waite officiating. Visitation will precede the service from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date in Little Wolf Cemetery. Memorials have been established for St. Paul's Lutheran Church (742 Depot Street, Manawa, WI 54949) , Wisconsin Lions Foundation Lions Pride Endowment Fund (3834 County Road A, Rosholt, WI 54473), and the American Cancer Society (800-227-2345). Bev's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nursing staffs at Naples Community Hospital and Frances Georgeson Hospice House for their loving and compassionate care of Bev and their support to her family.