Beverly “Bev” Gingery passed on August 27, 2017, at the age of 87. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Donald “Don” Gingery and their three sons and their spouses: Mark (Fran Wong), Bruce (Carrie Scallon), and John (Patricia Snider). She was also proud of her five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Thelma Vander Heiden, as well as her brothers Marion Jr. (Mike) and Robert E. Vander Heiden.
Bev was raised in Pella, Iowa, by her Dutch grandparents Martin and Elizabeth Vander Heiden. Her grandparents instilled a vibrant strength and love of traditional values, which Bev passed on to her own family.
After graduation from Pella High School, Bev worked at a local restaurant where she was swept off her feet by a customer, after serving him dinner. Bev married Don in 1949 and moved to Corvallis, with the goal that Don would achieve a bachelors degree in forestry from Oregon State College. Bev worked on fire lookout towers in the summer, while Don worked for Weyerhauser and attended school. In 1959, Bev and Don settled in Roseburg to raise an amazing family and develop roots in the community.
Bev lived a long and full life dedicated to her family and friends. Bev was always involved in the community, from PTA meetings to being a “room mother”, and always playing “taxi” transporting her boys and friends to countless school and sports activities. Her cookie jar was always full of fresh baked cookies and every neighborhood kid had a hand in the jar. Perhaps her most famous cookies were her delicious and traditional Dutch Letters. Bev’s outspoken and take-charge attitude had her always helping others in the community with kindness and caring. Bev worked in the cash office at Montgomery Wards for 10 years, served as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church, volunteered teaching immigrants to read and speak English using the Laubach Method, and was a very active sorority sister for over 60 years in Beta Sigma Phi.
Family and friends are invited to attend graveside services held at Roseburg National Cemetery on Friday, September 8th, 2017, at 11 AM. Please visit Bev's web site at www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com to leave condolences and fond memories.