Beverly J. Gunderman, 79, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023.
She was born April 18, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Frank and Marie (Graeser) Thiemann. She graduated from Lutheran High School Central in St. Louis, MO in 1961. After graduation, she attended St. John's College in Winfield, KS and later went to Concordia University in Seward, NE where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education.
She married Alan Gunderman on July 31, 1966 in St. Louis, Mo. To their union in marriage, they welcomed two children, Jennifer and Daniel. Alan and Beverly lived in Florida, North Carolina and Texas before moving to Topeka.
Upon moving to Topeka, she worked for Topeka Public Schools and taught in the GED program for adult literacy. After leaving Topeka Public Schools, she co-founded AppleTree Productions. Beverly retired in 2006 from Topeka Parks and Rec, where she worked at Old Prairie Town at Ward Meade Park.
Beverly was lucky enough to find great love twice in her life. She married Gary Sims on March 12, 2007 in Topeka, Kansas. They enjoyed traveling and attended shows at the Topeka Civic Theater.
She enjoyed reading, traveling to many different countries, especially Guatemala, and going on cruises. Her favorite cruise was to Tahiti. She was a proud supporter of the Topeka Civic Theater, where she once performed and volunteered.
When asked about how she wanted to be remembered, Beverly said that she wanted to be remembered as having a long and fulfilling life.
Beverly is survived by her husband, Gary Sims; children, Jen Gunderman (Audley Freed) and Dan Gunderman (Suzannah Scott-Moncrieff); step son, Blake (Melanie) Sims and three grandchildren, Alison, Wesley and Sophia Sims. She was preceded in death by parents; husband, Alan Gunderman and brother, Ronald Thiemann.
A Funeral Ceremony will be 1:00 pm., Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2021 W. 29th St., Topeka. A graveside service will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Civic Theater, 3028 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66606.
To leave a message for Beverly's family, please visit the guestbook below.