Beverly Joyce (Parks) Hoium, 83, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, after a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer.

Beverly was born Sept. 1, 1929, at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, Minn. She was the daughter of Hazel (Nelson) Eker and Clifford Parks. She lived in Albert Lea all of her life, except for 16 months when she lived in Panama while her husband was stationed there in the service.

Beverly graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1947. On July 3, 1948, she was united in marriage to Richard B. Hoium at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They were later divorced.

Beverly was a charter member of Circle No. 12 at First Lutheran Church, but later became a member of Circle No. 13. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, taught Sunday school and Bible school, and served two terms as secretary of Lincoln School PTA. She belonged to the Legion Auxiliary, Elks Does, Eagles Auxiliary, Senior Citizens, YMCA Swimnastics and Silver Sneakers programs. Bev worked for the Albert Lea School District No. 241 for 26 years as the school secretary for Oakwood, Ramsey and Halvorson Elementary Schools.

Beverly loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her special memories were those that occurred at their family cabin in Nevis, Minn. Bev enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, playing cards, dancing, feeding the birds and taking care of her flowers. She loved to bake for her family — especially her famous banana bread. Her family and friends were blessed by her thoughtful acknowledgements of special events in their lives.

Beverly is survived by her former husband Richard; her children, daughter Nancy Hajek (Vince) of Glenville, Minn., and son Craig (Jan) of Albert Lea; grandchildren, Nathan Hajek (Amy) and daughter Lauryn of Austin, Minn., Ryan Hajek (Lisa) and children Logan and Ethan of Glenville, Beth Hajek and fiancé Derek Nelson of Winona, Minn., Michael Hoium (Carissa) and their daughters Emelia and Brynley of Wawatosa, Wis., and Jeffrey Hoium of Albert Lea; sisters, Phyllis Field of Encinitas, Calif., Geraldine Peterson of Arden Hills, Minn., and LaVonne Ranum of Minneapolis; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hazel Eker and Clifford Parks; sister, Shirley, who died as a child; brothers–in-law, George Field, Thatcher Peterson and Darrrell Ranum; mother and father-in-law Ada and Ben Hoium; and sister and brother-in-law Arline and Grant Hoyne.

Beverly was a very kind and loving person. She was very unassuming and had no idea the positive effect she had on those whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life service for Beverly will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials are preferred to Hormel Cancer Research Institute, Freeborn County Relay for Life or the First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea.