Beverly Fern Barstad's Obituary
Beverly Fern (Hurst) Barstad reposed in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ on March 9, 2023. She is mourned by her husband of 64 years, Irving Barstad, her four living children, 15 living grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. In this life, nothing gave her greater joy than to be surrounded on festive occasions by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Beverly was born on June 19, 1939, in Estherville, Iowa, to James Lewis and Mary Etta Hurst, the youngest of three children and the only girl.
Beverly married Oscar Irving Barstad at Bethany Lutheran Church, in Spencer, Iowa, on March 28, 1959, while Irving was serving in the United States Navy. The couple's first child, Oscar Jr., was born, but did not survive, while they were stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Their oldest surviving son, Joel, was born in 1961 in San Diego, California.
Irving's first job out of the Navy took him and Beverly to Loveland, Colorado, where the remainder of their children were born, Edward (1963), Mark (1965), Kendall (1968), and Jodi (1970). The death of Mark at seven months old multiplied the sorrow of the loss of their first child, and had a profound effect on Beverly's health but also intensified her life of faith.
Beverly's life in Christ began when she was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, Spencer, Iowa, in 1958. Her understanding of what that meant was shaped by a teenage experience at a Billy Graham Crusade. As the years went by, her faith was enriched by other influences, as well, the Lutheran Charismatic Renewal, membership in non-denominational churches, many years in Evangelical Covenant churches, and again returning to the Lutheran church.
Old age brought her the common afflictions of illness, frustration, and loneliness, and, at times, she could not see the loving plan of God in the midst of her sufferings. Nonetheless, she always sought consolation and assurance in the Lord Jesus to whom she had entrusted herself so many times and in so many ways throughout a long life blessed with both suffering and joy.
Beverly suffered badly from asthma during the last 50 years of her life. Her family would be grateful if you would consider making a memorial donation in her name to the Cohen Family Asthma Institute at National Jewish Health | P.O. Box 17169 | Denver, CO 80217-0169 |
1.800.423.8891 x6560
Click Here to Donate
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