Beverly Ann Zerger
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October 19, 1946 - March 15, 2023
Beverly Ann Vogts Zerger, 76, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Pine Village in Moundridge, Kansas. She was born October 19, 1946, the oldest child of Marion E. and Maurine (Flickner) Vogts.
She grew up in Moundridge, spending a lot of time playing outside with her brother Bruce, sister Brenda, and the neighborhood kids. They knew to go home when the 6 o’clock whistle blew across town.
Bev attended Moundridge Grade School and graduated from Moundridge High School in 1964. She attended Bethel College, graduating in 1968 with a foreign language major.
In a German class, she met Joe Zerger and they were married on June 1, 1968.
Bev was baptized in the First Mennonite Church of Christian and was a life-long member. She taught primary Sunday school for many years and served on various committees.
It was during the days of the Vietnam War that both Joe and Bev were accepted into the Teachers Abroad Program with MCC for Alternative Service. After a year of language study in Belgium, they spent two years teaching in secondary school in the heart of Africa in the Belgian Congo. Bev always expressed gratitude for the opportunity to live in Congo and said the experience made her a better person.
Returning to the U.S., Bev and Joe lived in Lawrence, Ottawa, Peabody, Moundridge, and then settled on the farm near McPherson. Bev returned to Bethel College to earn an elementary education degree. She was a first grade teacher at Moundridge Elementary School. She felt so honored to be a teacher and spend school days with six and seven-year-old children.
The greatest joy for Bev and Joe was the raising of two sons, Todd William and Neil Andrew who brought wonderful daughters-in-law, Krisha Keimig and Ginny Stohs, into the family. In time, seven grandchildren added their energy, playfulness and love.
Retirement years were busy ones. Farming activities picked up. Grandchildren came for many visits making memories picking cherries, climbing the tractors and tree house, running with the dogs and staying outside until the first star appeared. Summer get togethers and sleepovers with all seven grandchildren were as much fun for Grandma as the grandchildren. Traveling with wonderful friends to Russia and Mexico were highlights.
Survivors include Joe Zerger, her loving husband of 54 years; son Dr. Todd (Krisha), Ava, Garrison, Addy, and Ayla Zerger, Salina, KS; son Dr. Neil (Ginny) Brock, Ashlyn, and Hudson Zerger, Derby, KS; brother Bruce (Jeanne) Vogts, Buhler, KS; sister, Brenda (Dale) Wedel, Newton, KS; brother-in-law Dr. Richard (Donna) Zerger, McPherson, KS; sister-in-law Joanne (David) Janzen, Evanston, IL; sister-in-law Frances (Rolf) Maas, Farmington, PA; aunt Kathryn Vogts, Moundridge, KS; aunt Roselyn Cornell, Pittsburg, KS; aunt, Valeta Smith, Hoquiam, WA; aunt Dema Woten, Blythe, CA; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Those who preceded her in death are parents Marion and Maurine Vogts; parents-in-law Paul and Esther Zerger; brother-in-law Walter Hochstetler; and nephew Jonathan Hochstetler.
Graveside services will be held at 9:45 a.m., Monday, March 20, 2023 at First Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Moundridge. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., at the First Mennonite Church of Christian.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Mennonite Church of Christian, Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, or Camp Mennoscah in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.
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