Beverly Ruth Gartner

BEVERLY RUTH GARTNER

January 3, 1932 – July 9, 2019

                Beverly Ruth Gartner, age 87, of New Hope, MN, formerly of rural New York Mills, MN, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the Walker-Methodist Health Center in Minneapolis surrounded by her loved ones.

                Bev was born on January 3, 1932 in rural Erhard, MN to Lloyd and Edna (Ritchie) Chamberlin.  Her family farmed in rural Otter Tail County where she attended country school through the eighth grade.  She went on to attend high school in Wadena from where she graduated with the Class of 1950.  As a young woman, Bev ventured to North Dakota where she served as a nanny for a large farm family.  On June 30, 1952, she was united in marriage to Virgil H. Gartner at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Park Rapids.  They made their home in Park Rapids where her husband logged area forests and they were blessed with two sons at this time: Daniel and Bradley.  Timber prices were so low that the family ventured to Alaska where Virgil found work in the Coal Mines.  Beverly devoted herself to making a loving home in a one-room cabin alongside the mines, inspite of the coal dust that sifted into the house that she constantly battled.  After working for a couple of years in Alaska, the Gartners returned to Minnesota in 1960 and purchased a home in New Hope where they have made their home up to the present time.  There the Gartners were blessed with four more children:  Troy, Forrest, Jess and finally a daughter, Heather.  Virgil worked a long career as a heavy highway mechanic for the 49er’s Operating Engineers and Beverly devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her large family.  With her great home cooking, she was affectionately known as the “casserole queen”.   Bev was talented as an artist and oil painted many landscape and wildlife scenes which grace many living rooms throughout the region.  She also served as a Cub Scout den mother for a number of years.  Bev also worked as a volunteer at the public school helping inner-city children with their reading and phonics.  She enjoyed the outdoors and spent many a weekend snowmobiling with her family in the Park Rapids area or camping or taking trips in their motorhome.  She also enjoyed raising beautiful flowers into colorful splendor throughout her yard.  Above all, Bev loved her husband, children, and grandchildren with all her heart.

                She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for these past 67 years, Virgil of New Hope, MN; her six children: Daniel (Irene) Gartner of Park Rapids, Bradley (Rita) Gartner of Bethel, MN, Troy Gartner of Anoka, MN, Forrest Gartner of New Hope, MN, Jess Gartner of Brooklyn Center, MN, and Heather Verplank of New Hope; 11 dearly loved grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren; her sister, Janice Roggenkamp of Weiser, Idaho and two brothers: Howard Chamberlin and Wesley (Karen) Chamberlin all of Memphis, TN; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

                Bev was preceded in death by one brother, Russell; one granddaughter, Julie and one great-granddaughter, Abigale.

                Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Friday, July 19, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Thomas Friedl officiating.  Mary Schmitz will be the organist and St. Mary’s Choir will lead the mass music.  Bev’s six children will lovingly serve as her casket bearers.  Interment will be made in the St. Marys Catholic Church Cemetery. Following the service, the St. Mary’s church family will host a meal for all.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5 to 8 PM at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and will continue beginning one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com