Beverly Ethel Collyard (Wilcox) was born in St. Paul, MN, on July 12, 1926, the daughter of Fred and Myrtle (Brown) Wilcox. Her family moved to St. Paul’s east side during the Great Depression. During WWII Bev worked at 3M in place of her husband Ed who was serving overseas. She also worked for 14 years as a dental assistant.
Bev and Ed Collyard were married while he was on leave on March 16, 1944. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter. Throughout her life, Bev was a loving wife and dedicated mother. She always had a positive attitude (“Count your blessings” “Put a smile on your face”). She taught her children the blessings of a strong Christian faith.
She was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church (WELS) in St. Paul for over 65 years.
Bev actively volunteered to help others. In 2002 she was awarded the “Governor’s Act of Kindness Award” from the state of Minnesota for her work as a Braille transcriber. Bev used this skill for over 30 years, particularly as a volunteer for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s Ministry to the Visually Disabled,
headquartered in St. Paul.
Bev loved music and was a skilled ballroom dancer.
In these last days of her life, she anticipated her departure with peace and was made a member of the Church Triumphant on April 24, 2021.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Edward; her mother and father; brothers, Leslie, Wayne, and Robert; and sisters, Mildred, Bernice, Jeanine, Bess, and Margie. Three other siblings died as young children.
She is survived by her children,
Len (Kathy), Larry (Fran), Karen, and Gerry (Sandy); eight grandchildren;
and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral at 11:00am on Monday, May 3rd at St. John Lutheran Church, 765 E. Margaret St., on St. Paul's Eastside, with Visitation at the church at 10:00am. Private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery following the funeral.
Bev's family sends special thanks to the caretakers at New Perspectives in Highland Park
.
the WELS Mission for the Visually Impaired.
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