November 8, 1933 - February 1, 2025
Beverly Jeanne Mawdsley was born Nov. 8, 1933, in Buffalo Center, daughter of Walter and Pearl (Jensen) Winkleman. She grew up in Buffalo Center, graduating high school as the Valedictorian in 1951. She then attended Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Wheaton, Ill. and Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She continued her education on the graduate level at various universities across the country.
She was an annual attendee at the Fred Waring Choral Music Workshop in Pennsylvania for many years. She also attended the University of Colorado and the University of Minnesota. Bev taught K-12 vocal music at Orange City in 1954-1955 and followed that by 35 years of teaching Elementary and Middle school vocal music in the Algona Community School District. She took pride in writing her own music programs. She served as Junior Choir director and organist for many years at the First Presbyterian church in Algona where she was a member. She was also a member of P.E.O, Sigma Alpha Lota (honorary music), Kappa Delta Pi (honorary education), Delta Kappa Gamma (International teacher) Society, holding various positions and serving as Iowa State music chair for several years.
She traveled extensively with DKG at home and abroad. For many years she had the distinct honor of serving as pianist for many regional and international conventions across the country, playing in over 15 states and Canada. She especially enjoyed spending winters in Arizona where she substitute taught and played piano and organ at Country Roads retirement community. She found great pleasure in having her children and grandchildren come to visit.
Beverly died Saturday, Feb. 1 at River Valley Estates in Yuma, Ariz. She was 91.
Beverly is survived by Craig of Quasqueton and his daughters Laura (Anne) Lair-Mawdsley and great-grandson Tristan of Salt Lake City, Utah; Hilary Mawdsley Rescaglio of Kansas City, Mo.; Beverly’s daughter Kristine and fiancé Ronnie of Yuma, Ariz.; her son Channon (Cinnamon) of Algona and their children Benjamin Mawdsley of Bozeman, Mont. and Calli Mawdsley of Fort Collins, Colo. Also surviving is one brother, Dwight (Jan) formerly of Buffalo Center and now of West Unity, Ohio; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lorraine Pitkin, her former husband Richard Mawdsley, sister-in-law Mary Lou Mawdsley and grandson Dain Craig Mawdsley.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Algona. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Her family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Oakcrest Funeral Services of Algona in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.