Beverly Bilkey

Sun Prairie/Dodgeville - Beverly Yvonne Bilkey, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at the Lighthouse in Sun Prairie. She was born on October 14, 1926 in Madison, Wisconsin the daughter of Rush and Amalie (Christen) Watson.

Beverly graduated from Barneveld High School sharing Valedictorian of her class. She was a 1948 graduate from the University of Wisconsin, receiving a BS in Medical Technology. Beverly moved to Dodgeville to set up the lab at General Hospital. Here she met her husband Frederick "Fritz" Bilkey and they were married on June 29, 1950 in Dubuque, Iowa. After Fritz's death she moved to Madison and worked for UW clinics. Beverly had over 40 years of Certification with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

She took an active role in the community, as Iowa Co. Board Supervisor, Chairman of Iowa Co. Social Services, a member of The Health Planning Council, and Iowa Co. Health Agency. She was also a Governor appointee to the Regional Planning Commission. She had a keen interest in politics, and was a candidate for State Representative.

Beverly was a member of the Dodgeville United Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday School, made pasties, and was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She was also a member of Lake Edge UCC in Madison.

She belonged to The Order of The Eastern Star, and was Worthy Matron, and Mother Advisor to Rainbow Girls.

Beverly was an avid Badger and Packer fan, and enjoyed antique auctions, flower gardening and crocheting. Most of all, she enjoyed her family and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her children, Barry (Janet) Bilkey, Rick (Mary Beth) Bilkey and Lori Sander; five grandchildren, Corey Bilkey, Sarah (Brian) West, Abigail (Fianc� Matt Ziegler) Bilkey, Angela (Mykola Rykhlivskyy) Bilkey and Tori (Dustin Linnerud) Sander; great grandchildren, Hailey and Hunter West; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son-in-law Tom Sander, a grandson Clayton Thomas Sander, and her brothers, Roth and Rush Watson.

A memorial service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie
(608) 837-9054