Beverley Kaye Ruopp

Beverley Kaye Adkins Ruopp, 85, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on August 9th at Iowa River Hospice surrounded by family.

Beverley was born in (St. Thomas Hospital) to Russell Albert and Dolly Lucille Adkins. The family lived in several Marshall County towns during her youth. She was the second to the youngest of 10 children.

On May 11, 1958 she married the love of her life, Donald P. Ruopp, in Marshalltown. Together they shared 68 wonderful years of marriage.

Beverley worked in the print shop of Fisher Controls for 30 years. While at Fisher’s she was known as the unofficial social director. She planned and organized activities for employees to participate in such as practical jokes, football and basketball pools, weekly joke contests, and lunch potlucks. Her crowning achievement was when she decided to honor a female colleague in her department by bestowing on her the title of “Possum Queen.” The honoree received a paper sash and crown and was seated in the back of a pickup truck along with her “court” at her feet to parade down Main Street all the way to the Dairy Queen for sundaes. The Times-Republican even started publishing a picture of the new Possum Queen each year.

Bev had a big personality and a warm heart that touched everyone she met. She was always laughing, always ready with a joke, and never met a stranger. As her friends grew older and needed more support, Bev was there for them — checking in, lending a hand, and making sure no one faced hard times alone. You could always count on Bev to show up, make a call, or send a card and always with her big bright smile.

She served as a 20-year volunteer with the YWCA and a 25-year member of the Lioness Club, where she served as the “tail twister” who is responsible for telling a joke at meetings.

A love of flowers, especially peonies, turned her into an avid gardner. She became a member of the Iowa Regional Lily Society, American Hosta Society, American Peony Society, the Iowa Day Lily Society, and the American Iris Society, where she served as president. Every year she would invite fellow members to her home for a luncheon among her day lilies in the backyard.

She was preceded in death by her son, Russell Albert Ruopp (Dec. 9, 1959 – Oct. 18, 2021); her parents, Russell and Lucille Dolly Adkins; seven siblings, Ila Faye Bridges, Twila Hass Kann, Shirley Ricketts McAuley, Darrell Adkins, Homer (Lucille) Adkins, Delmar (NAME) (Marshalltown), and Robert (infancy).

Beverley is survived by her husband Donald P. Ruopp; her sons, Michael (Mary) Ruopp of Marshalltown, and Todd (Squally) Ruopp of Washington, D.C., and daughter-in-law Tammy Ruopp of Marshalltown; five grandchildren, Melissa Ruopp, Marcia (Ian) Hyde, Mitchell Ruopp, Calista (Mal) Rubee, and Shaylene Ruopp; six great-grandchildren, Samson, Adelynn, Conan, Rosalynn, and Gwendolyn Hyde, and Alexei Maier; and four step grandchildren Emily (Matt), Elise, Jake (Maria), and Jordan Jennings; and her sister, Carolyn (Robert) Glore of Santa Barbara, CA and brother Garry (Linda) Adkins of Marshalltown.

Per Beverley's wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held. She will be cremated, and her ashes will await interment at the Ruopp family plot in Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, where she will one day rest alongside her husband, Donald. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Iowa River Hospice.