Beverly Ann Baadsgaard Lewis, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at the age of 89, on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones . She was born, the oldest of 8 children, to Alfred Beck and Lola Clayson Baadsgaard, on April 28, 1935 in Missoula, Montana. She spent her childhood on her family’s farm in Lake Shore, Utah, later graduating from Spanish Fork High School.
Just out of high school, Beverly moved to Oakland, California, where she worked briefly for Hartford Insurance. Returning to Utah, she married Ray Lewis on August 30, 1956 in the Salt Lake LDS temple. They built a lovely home just out of town on the canyon road where they could have horses. Beverly loved to ride and her father had given her a favorite spunky mare named Sadie.
Always busy, Beverly started their family with Kathy and Mike but continued working for several local businesses, including the Ideal Cafe, Stone Drug, and eventually Mountain Bell, where she worked off and on for many years. After having Kimberly she settled down to enjoy motherhood for a bit.
Never stopping from daylight to dark, Beverly could not allow herself to be idle. She cooked and canned and sewed and knit and crocheted something every minute of her life. But the thing she was most excellent at was listening and loving. Beverly LOVED everyone, especially children! She found the good in everyone and everyone she loved became family. Beverly was a peacemaker.
In her early 40’s Beverly started working for Nature’s Sunshine Products. She was the first female Corporate Director of Manager Services. There she spent the rest of her career building friendships around the globe, until retiring at 66.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints her love for the gospel and her Savior was ever apparent in her words and deeds. Her dedication to callings, even into her 80’s as the ‘cookie grandma’ in primary, was a testimony to all who knew her. We all were reminded to “Remember Who You Are, Whose You Are, and that Heavenly Father loves you.”
She loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping trips, fishing at Strawberry, and especially horseback riding.
Beverly was a phenomenal seamstress, quilter, knitter, crocheter, you name it, she could make it. From prom dresses, to costumes, to wedding dresses , she happily made clothes for her children. Intricately stitched quilts for every occasion, embroidered stockings for every grandchild, hand stitched hand towels, and dishrags, scrubbers, and hot pads were never in short supply at Grandma’s house.
She loved to be surrounded by family, and everyone she met became family. She said, “The best gift I ever got was three perfect babies, 17 perfect grandchildren, and an additional 34 great grandchildren to love.” It was evident to us all that she found value in showing her love through quality time. You could always expect to find a jar of oreos and a cold Dr Pepper and to sit down to play a round of cards or ‘board game’.
Beverly is experiencing the most precious of reunions with those who preceded her in death; her mother, Lola Clayson Baadsgaard, father, Alfred Beck Baadsgaard, and her sweetheart, James Ray Lewis.
She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Jensen (Ron), her son, Michael Ray Lewis (Kimberly Kay), daughter Kimberly Sorensen (Eric), 17 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren as well as siblings, Cleo Ostler(Bill), Ina Lee Tedrow (Gerry), Kevin Baadsgaard (Jenny), Glen Baadsgaard (Patty), Lynn Baadsgaard (Jeannie), Lloyd Baadsgaard (Betty), Laurie Madsen, and a beloved sister-in-law, Judy Cole (Norn).
A viewing will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the LDS church located at 1750 East 750 South, Spanish Fork. There will be a viewing from 9:45 to 10:45 am on Saturday, December 14th at the same LDS Church located at 1750 East 750 South, Spanish Fork, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery located at 420 S. 400 E., Spanish Fork, Utah.
1 Condolence for Beverly Ann Baadsgaard Lewis
Condolence(1)
Don Lehnhof says
December 12, 2024 at 4:49 pmI will always remember Bev as a hardworking and caring co-worker. As a customer service leader she softened hearts and graciously worked problems out. She took a personal interest in my family, especially my kids. She was a joy to work with and when she retired I felt the need to chat with her on the phone from time to time just to renew our friendship and fill her in on family milestones. I know she had lasting relationships with the NSP distributors who did the same. What an blessing she was to our company, and to me personally!