Obituary of Bevelyn Ranshaw

Bevelyn ("Bev") Marie Ranshaw, 90 years 11 months, passed away July 4, 2013 at Atrium Village, Hills, IA. Funeral services will be held at 5pm Sunday, July 7, 2013, at the North Liberty First United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Bev's memory. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. She was born July 23, 1922 on a farm a few miles west of West Liberty, IA to Joseph and Bertha (Barnhart) Kennedy. She graduated from West Liberty High School in 1939. Later, she attended Iowa City Commercial College. During World War II, she lived and worked in Iowa City. She married George D. Ranshaw of North Liberty, IA on October 6, 1946 in the West Liberty Methodist Church. They farmed in North Liberty in what is now a residential area south of the North Liberty ball diamonds. In 1957, she re-entered the labor market as a bookkeeper for the North Liberty elevator. Between 1961 until her retirement in 1987, she worked as an clerk/secretary in various departments at the University of Iowa. During her retirement, she volunteered at the Senior Center serving meals and served on the Senior Center Board until 1993. She was a gentle, quiet person who spent many hours in her garden, followed by the annual ritual of canning and freezing her produce. Much of her attention was directed towards the comforts of her family. She also had a small group of friends that she spent time with playing cards, camping, and dancing. She was also an active member of the Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority. She will be remembered for her pleasant nature, special smile, the best potato salad, and excellent pies. Bev is survived by her two children: Jill (Duane) Miller of Coralville and George ("Randy") of Iowa City; two grandchildren: Dawn Ranshaw of Iowa City and Isra DeJong of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada; three great-grandchildren: Ainsley, Alyssa and Andrew Cooper of Iowa City. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband George D. Ranshaw, four brothers: Arlie, Wayne, Gail and Lester Kennedy, three sisters: Rose Kennedy, Marquerite Brown and Mildred Fitzgerald. The family would like to express its deep appreciation and thanks to the entire staff of Atrium Village for its compassionate care given to Bev during the past two years and especially the last two months of her life. The family would also like to express its gratitude for the assistance provided by Iowa City Hospice. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Bev's family and her services.