Beverly Jean (Bogosoff) Behrndt

Beverly J. (Bogosoff) Behrndt of Battle Creek passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.  

She was 93. She was born in Painesdale, Michigan on October 6, 1930.  She was the eldest daughter of Michael and Mary (Crnich) Bogosoff.  She grew up in Houghton, Michigan where she helped raise her younger siblings.  Near the age of 12, she was working for her father in his wholesale food business keeping the books and making deliveries.  After graduation from Houghton High School, she attended Suomi College taking business courses.  Soon after, she relocated to Battle Creek, and was responsible for the family move to Battle Creek.  Beverly landed her first job in Battle Creek working for GMAC and then the Bijou Theater where she loved to meet people taking their tickets, and serving up the popcorn and soda to patrons.  She spent the majority of her working career with the Fairfield Corporation of Battle Creek, Michigan. 

Beverly was happily married to Edward J Behrndt, Sr. for 32 years before his passing in 2011.  She is survived by their children, Michael (Kay) LaPierre, Mary Ann (Joseph) Candela, Gregory (Angela) LaPierre, Jeanne (Scott) Bell, Edward Behrndt, Jr., and Deborah Behrndt; grandchildren Rachael Candela, Peter (Emily) Candela, Joey Candela, Mikea LaPierre, Aaron (Moira) LaPierre, Morgan (Trevor) Blau, Matthew Bell, Sarah Remenar, Julie (Kyle) Lackscheide, Dale Behrndt, Dana Behrndt, Edward Behrndt; eight great-grandchildren; sisters Catherine Bogosoff, Barbara Kowalski , Sr. Mary Ann Bogosoff, and Patsy (Butch) Perry.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Beatrice Read and her brother John P. Bogosoff, as well as her former husband, Theodore LaPierre.

Beverly was a member of St Philip Catholic Church for almost 70 years.  She gave her time and talents as a member of the Council of Catholic Women at both St Philip Church in Battle Creek, and St Joseph Church in Stuart, Florida where she and Edward happily resided as “snowbirds”.  She volunteered at both churches, taught CCD classes, and could be found working in the St. Phil Tiger Room running the weekly Rummage Sales.  She spent many years as a “Pink Lady” at Leila Hospital and she was an avid league bowler throughout her life, giving her beloved lifelong friends.  Beverly’s happiest times were when she was spending it with family and friends.  “Bevy” loved to laugh.  Give her any kind of hat to model (which always looked dreadful on her) and she would have everyone around her howling with laughter.  She had a wonderful group of friends that she shared many fun times with, creating lasting memories. 

Without a doubt, her life’s greatest joy was her family--especially her children and grandchildren.  Nothing made her happier than to have her big (and loud) extended family over at her house to celebrate a holiday where everyone was together.  She welcomed everyone.  In her eyes, there were no step-children, no daughter or son-in-laws, only another son, daughter, or grandchild to love.   Beverly’s final role as ‘Grandma’ will live on in her grandchildren.  From being a part of Grandparents Day at their school, to an endless supply of baked brownies, to teaching them the mastery of Old Maid and Crazy Eights, Grandma gave her endless love to her beloved grandchildren.  So much of what she told them, taught them, and showed them will live on in them as she is in all of us who were so lucky to call her Mom, Bev, Auntie Bev or “Bevy”.  Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of her children and grandchildren and everyone she touched.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Reflections Memory Care, and Rose Arbor Hospice, where she spent her final days.  Their compassion for Beverly and her family will always be remembered.

Friends will be received on Thursday May 30, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care where the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.  A Catholic Mass will be celebrated by Rev James Richardson at 10:00am Friday May 31, 2024, at St Philip Catholic Church.  Committal and interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery where Beverly will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Edward.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Council of Catholic Women, 112 Capital Avenue NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.