Beverly S. Bronaugh

Beverly S. Bronaugh

At this time, there are no formal services scheduled for Beverly S. Bronaugh, 82, Lawrence, Kansas. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday August 18, 2020 just shy of her 83rd birthday. A celebration of life will be planned later this year.

Beverly was born on August 25, 1937 in Wathena, Ks., a small town of 700 people across the river from St. Joe, Missouri. She was the daughter of Elmer and Evelyn (Hines) Frey. She grew up on a small farm with her sister, Linda. She remembers war time rationing, paying for groceries/music lessons with eggs and chickens, and how wonderful it was to have an extra ration of sugar for sugar cookies. She remembers outhouses with Sears catalogs for paper. They had no indoor plumbing until her late teens.

The family enjoyed big Sunday dinners, listening to the radio to “Cuddle & Tuckey” and “Sky King” She took piano lessons for years and learned to love music. Kate Smith singing “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain” was one of her favorites as well as Laura’s song from Dr. Zivago. Beverly sang in school and church choirs for years and told many stories of music camp. They had an old crank phone with a party line and much gossip. She stated she had a very happy childhood with her father working on his uncle’s farm. They were well loved and had all they needed.

Beverly worked at the deli/soda fountain at W.T. Grants after 1 year of Jr. College. It was here that she met Robert Bronaugh who was in management training. She married him in 1956 in St. Joe, Missouri. She was preceded in death by him in 2011 after 54 happy years. They traveled over many states as Robert “Bob” rose through the ranks of W.T. Grant and when it closed, they settled in Merriam and Shawnee, Kansas. She took a position as a para/aide in the Shawnee Mission School District until she retired in 2003 after 34 years. She also traveled to conventions with Bob when he worked with “Sturgeon Linen” and stood proudly by him when he was elected to the Shawnee City Council.

She is survived by 2 daughters, Mari (Ray White), Lori Bronaugh, and 1 son Robin (Rita), 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 1 sister Linda and her daughter Kim all of whom she adored.
She will be fondly remembered for her smile, kindness, and sense of humor. She played a mean game of Canasta, Phase 10, Marbles, and Dominos. She had many friends wherever she lived. She loved to bake and garden and always had large indoor plants. Her pumpkin bread was requested by many. She and Bob moved to Lawrence, Kansas to be closer to family in 2010 as his health failed. She had a profound faith and was active at Shawnee United Methodist Church in Shawnee and then Plymouth Congregational U.C.C. church in Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in her name be sent to the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation, The American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimers Association. These may be sent in care to Warren-McElwain mortuary, 120 W. 13th St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.