Bevers, Lester J.

Other Events:

• Tombstone: St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Wrightstown, Wisconsin, USA
• Obituary: 17 Jan 2015; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Birth:
unconfirmed poss 10/12/1930

Obituary:
Lester "Les" Bevers, Kaukauna, age 84, was called to Heaven's Wood Shop on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. When he answered the call, he was surrounded by all of his loving children. He was born on October 12, 1930, the son of the late Peter and Josephine (Jansen) Bevers. On June 7, 1952, he was joined in marriage to the love of his life, Betty Milbach, at Holy Cross Church. They would be virtually inseparable for the next 62 years. They would live for most of their time together in the Kimberly/Wrightstown/Kaukauna area, with a brief, idyllic and very happy period at their cozy little cottage in the woods near Crandon, Wisconsin.
Les was a loyal son, brother, husband and father. He served his country proudly and bravely as an Army Corporal in the Korean War. After returning home and settling down with Betty, he worked in the paper industry, mostly at the Kimberly Mill, retiring as a carpenter in 1989. Over his working years, Dad did what he needed to do to support his growing family, at various times working in construction, dairy, and cabinetry in addition to his job at "The Mill".
Les loved working with wood. He was very proud of his craft, and truly enjoyed working with wood-working tools. He had an amazing knack for matching woodgrain, and loved every opportunity to take on cabinet projects. All of his kids have samples of his skill in their homes.
In 1978, Les and Betty purchased a piece of property between Monico and Crandon. Their new property's single feature was a collapsed pile of rubble from a failed attempt by the previous owner to build a cabin. Together they built a beautiful, cozy cabin, nestled among the pines and tamaracks. After retiring, they expanded their retreat into a full-fledged, year-round home. They loved passing the summers together, fishing the local lakes. In the fall and winter, Les loved to hunt, especially deer. Winters were spent stoking the fire, feeding the deer herd and enjoying each other's company. Spring would bring the birds, and they would spend hours feeding and enjoying the variety of birds that visited their feeders. They were also very proud of their flower gardens.
After six wonderful years in the northwoods, they returned to the Kaukauna area to enjoy their remaining years together sharing memories and stories of the "good old days", and spending time with their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dad continued to enjoy working in his woodshop for a time, until he simply ran out of projects.
As a loving and faithful husband and father, there was never a question about Dad's character, strength and determination during times of adversity. Through it all, Les and Betty made a wonderful home for their eight children. Dad's experience in war served as an inspiration to his kids that there is always an alternative to conflict. Over the years, their brood grew and married, which made for fun holidays and special event celebrations!
Recently, Les was devastated by the loss of his Best Girl. Despite all of the love and support of his children, he just did not have the time or the energy to bounce back. He now joins her, where we can all be certain that he is being treated to Mom's best bakery and cooking.
Les and Betty leave us a fountain of everlasting memories and an amazing legacy! They will be dearly missed by their children Chris (Joyce), Kaukauna and their children, Gwen (Chad) Vanderpas, and James (Michelle) Bevers; Richard (Lucy), Appleton, and their children Richard (Beverly) Bevers and Eric Bevers; David (Susan), Fremont, and their children Jennie Krause and Tim Bevers; Cynthia (Don) Kunstman, Combined Locks, and their children Jeremiah (Kathryn) Kunstman, Kim Tavarez, and Matthew (Rebecca) Kunstman; Thomas (Lynn), Darboy, and their children Nick Bevers, Michael (Heather) Bevers and Nathan Bevers; JoAnn, Menasha, and her children Joshua Bevers, Amanda (Chris) Smith, and Rebecca Sokolowski (special friend, Ricky Davis); and Shelly (Orlan) Buchholtz, Hortonville, and their children Mickenzie (Nathan) Gust, Heather, Robbin, and Brooke; and their pride and joy, twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Les is further survived by a brother, Donald, Penn's Grove, NJ, and a sister, Sandy (Leo) Coonen, Waupaca; brothers-in-law Richard Milbach, Texas, and Daniel (Marlene) Milbach, Port Washington, and sister-in-law Bonnie Milbach, Sturgeon Bay; Betty's sisters-in-law Della Milbach, Appleton, and Kasey Thomas, Kaukauna; special neighbors, Mernie Roloff and Ray Harvey; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives; and a lifetime of friends.
In addition to Betty and his parents, Les was preceded in death by an infant son, Steven; his father- and mother-in-law Nick and Annacel Milbach; his sister LaVerne Mathis and her husband Jacob Mathis; his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Verstegen and her husbands Jerome and Merlin Verstegen; brothers-in-law Nicholas Milbach and his wife, Dorothy, Robert Milbach, and William Milbach; sister-in-law Katherine Bevers; and a close niece, Gail Balthazor.
A celebration of Les' life will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at the O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (1776 E. Main St., Little Chute). This celebration will include a brief prayer service and sharing of memories of a life well-lived at 6:00 p.m. Deacon Bruce Corey, Holy Cross Catholic Church, will officiate. Les will be reunited with Betty in their common urn. Interment of their cremated remains will be at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Wrightstown, WI, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in their name is being established for ThedaCare Hospice Foundation. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.
Dad's final days were spent in comfort, thanks to the tender and compassionate care of the hospice team and staff at Cherry Meadows. The Bevers Family will be eternally grateful to them all for their special guidance and assistance.

Lester married Milbach, Elizabeth "Betty Jane" 7 Jun 1952, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kaukauna, Wisconsin, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Milbach, Nicholas Sylvester and Conrad, Annaceil Margaret) was born 24 Jul 1931, Kaukauna, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 8 Dec 2014, Kaukauna, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; was buried , St. Paul Catholic Cemetery, Wrightstown, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Chris married Siebers, Joyce (daughter of Siebers, Wilfred G. and Nushart, Cecelia) [Group Sheet]

Cynthia married Kunstman, Donald (son of Kunstman, Donald Charles and Burton, Joyce M.) [Group Sheet]

Shelly married Buchholtz, Orlan [Group Sheet]

Thomas married Unknown, Lynn [Group Sheet]

James married Brooks, Carrie [Group Sheet]

Jeremiah married Lambie, Kathryn [Group Sheet]