Beverly Ann Ahlquist

Bev Ahlquist, 80, of Kerkhoven, died Saturday, June 25th at CentraCare-Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. Her memorial service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, July 9th at Harvest Community Church in Willmar. Visitation will be from 4-7:00 pm, Friday, July 8th at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue on Saturday one hour prior to her service at the church. Private interment will be at Sunburg Free Lutheran Cemetery.

Beverly Ann Ahlquist was born June 13, 1942, to Gilbert and Gladys (Frovold) Swenson in Sunburg. She attended the nearby country school, and later Kerkhoven High School. After various part time jobs, she found her calling. She began her life long career in journalism in the late sixties on the Women's Society Page for The Willmar Tribune. She began a daily column, Bev Sez, and focused on recipes and household tips.

She worked there for many years before taking a job as editor at The New London Times. She continued with the paper after it merged with The Spicer Free Press. She loved her job and her community. She was fascinated by people and loved telling their stories.

She later moved on to radio and worked as the news director and radio personality for the KDJS radio station. After retiring she continued writing part time for The Kerkhoven Banner and Senior Perspective.

Her love of community led to her being actively involved in many community events, her favorites being the New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run and supporting and hosting numerous people through foreign exchange programs.

What she loved most, though, was her family....

She was a loving mom, grandma, sister, and aunt. She was always up for a bite to eat or an impromptu jaunt across the countryside. She was always on the go and would do anything for her daughters and grandkids. She’ll be remembered for many things but mostly for how she loved her family…and her talent for making spectacular chocolate chips cookies and tater tot hot dish.

Bev is survived by her daughters: Lori Evans of Kandiyohi, Renee (Dan) Lindblad of Lake Lillian, Debra Jenson of Willmar, Christine Thompson of Kerkhoven, and Alana (Michelle) Ahlquist Skudlarek of Willmar; grandchildren: Adam (Christa), Tom (Kirsten), Chris (Stephanie), Scott, Austin, Abby and Elizabeth; nine great-grandchildren; and siblings: Deloris, Mary Lou (Dennis), Linda (Dennis), Shirley, Gloria, and Gordy.

She was preceded in death by her parents and Nilbert Espelien, siblings: Ella, Galen and Gynther; grandchild, Eden Thompson, and sons-in-law, Dan Evans and Lance Thompson.

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