Beverly Marie Conner

COTTAGE GROVE-Beverly Johnson Conner, age 49, of Cottage Grove, died on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, surrounded by family and friends after battling ovarian cancer since March of 2011. She was born on July 27, 1963, to Victor and Elizabeth Johnson of Livingston. The youngest of their three children, she grew up on the family farm milking cows, making hay, tilling fields, repairing fences, tending beef cattle, feeding calves, riding horseback, and fishing, just to name a few of the multitude of activities experienced on their typical rural family farm 40 years ago. She graduated from Iowa Grant High School as valedictorian in 1981, and went on to work her way through college graduating with honors from UW-Platteville with a degree in business administration. Growing up on a farm instilled a tremendous work ethic which she applied to every endeavor. Her greatest passion in life was being a mom. Nothing was more fulfilling nor imparted as much joy to her as motherhood. She loved spending time with and doing things for her son. She also loved cheering him on at his various sporting and school events and was very proud of his significant scholastic and athletic accomplishments. As a fulltime working mom, Beverly found her vocational niche as Vice President of Business Development at Bauer & Raether Builders, Inc., in Madison where she was employed for the past 12 years. A self-described “homebody”, she loved gardening, cooking, and working on her house and flower gardens in her spare time. She carried on the farm tradition of canning large quantities of her own produce in the summer. Cooking for her family was a creative outlet and she spent many hours in the kitchen often inventing her own recipes. Her commitment to homemaking was evidenced by her creative transformation of her house and yard by painting every room of the house, staining and varnishing woodwork, creating serene garden spaces, planting hundreds of perennials, building a pond, and making the home a peaceful oasis away from the busyness of everyday life. Her other pastimes included her wonderful dog, Bernie, time spent with good friends, reading, antiquing, horseback riding, classical music, laughing with James and Dennis, and anything involving nature. She had recently become a member of the Dane County Beekeepers Association. The simple pleasures in life meant the most to her. Though quiet and self-effacing, she loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor known to those to whom she was closest. Beverly is survived by her beloved son, James; very special friend, Dennis Bauer of McFarland; mother, Elizabeth Johnson of Livingston; brother, Jerry (Debby) Johnson of Normal, Ill.; sister, Elaine Johnson (Susan Crochette) of Overland Park, Kan.; nephews, Matthew Lepley, Peter Lepley, and Eric Johnson; nieces, Heather Johnson and Hannah Johnson; several aunts; one uncle; many cousins; and many friends she was honored to call surrogate sisters and family. She was preceded in death by her father, Victor Johnson. Funeral services will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURCH, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 11 A.M. with Rev. Marc Maillefer presiding. Burial will follow at Cottage Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, from 4 P.M. until 7 P.M. as well as from 10 A.M. until the time of service on Wednesday. Memorials may be directed to the family for an educational fund for James. Cemetery: Burial will follow at Cottage Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for an educational fund for James. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, from 4 P.M. until 7 P.M. as well as from 10 A.M. until the time of service on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at DOOR CREEK CHURCH, 6602 Dominion Drive, Madison, on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 11 A.M. with Rev. Marc Maillefer presiding.