BEVERLY (BEV) IRENE WAGER HOLMAN
April 18, 1923 – May 20, 2016



Beverly (Bev) Irene Wager Holman, 93, a resident of Calumet, passed away peacefully in her home on May 20th, 2016 with her children at her bedside.

She was born on April 18, 1923 in Miami, Florida to the late Jostein and Jennie (Evansen) Wager. She spent her childhood in Coconut Grove, Florida and graduated in 1942 from St. Ann’s High School in West Palm Beach.

After the outbreak of WWII, she worked as secretary to the Director of Nursing at the Ream Army General Hospital (The Breakers Hotel) in Palm Beach. After the war she moved to Chicago where she was employed at Passavant Memorial Hospital as a receptionist/phone operator in the surgical offices.

On June 1, 1947, she was married to the late Donald S. Holman, who preceded her in death on May 28, 1985.

They moved to Don’s hometown of Calumet in December, 1949, to care for his ailing father. It was a harsh and harried welcome to life in the Keweenaw for this “belle” from Florida.

Bev lived an abundant life and was active in church, school, Cub Scouts, American Legion and other community activities her entire life. Summer was her favorite time in the Copper Country and over the years probably traversed most of the forests and beaches on the peninsula. It was fascinating to walk with her as she pointed out all the plant life; medicinal uses and what was edible (and what was not). Berry picking was a favorite pastime and she made the best sugarplum and wild blueberry pie in the world! While winter was always her least favorite time of the year, she did her own snow blowing and scooping well into her 80’s.

Her love of all creatures furry and feathery occupied much of her time in her later years. She was involved with Humane Societies both here and for several winters in Florida. There were many foster cats but her last one, Missy, stayed for 25 years. Birds of all colors could count on being well fed in her backyard and the chipmunks were always well stocked with peanuts for the winter.

After her children were grown, Bev finally indulged her lifelong love of art and took painting lessons, filling her home with many still-lifes and landscapes. She was an excellent cook and even at 93 was still copying recipes from all her favorite cooking shows. When you sat down to eat, she would begin and end the meal by saying, “I don’t want leftovers!” even though she had cooked enough for a platoon.

Bev enjoyed people of all ages and all walks of life, thought of them as family and was a good friend to all of them. She was an avid newshound watching an hour and a half of local and national news every evening and reading the paper and news magazines from cover to cover, even up to a few days before her death.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Machnik of Marinette, WI, son Kenneth (Diane) of Manistee; grandchildren April (Philip) Mueller, Matthew Machnik, Ross (Bethany) Holman, and Claire Holman; great-grandsons Logan and Troy Brisson, and Miles and Jackson Holman; her brother, Justin Wager of Florida and nephews Wayne (Janel) and Cary Wager. She is also survived by dear friends locally: Bernice Smith, Theresa Cherubini, Kathy and Guy St. Germain, Sharon Turovarra and Stephen Jukuri; and long-distance friends: Nancy Abramson, Beth MacEachran and Mary Kuopus. Also Bev’s Aspirus Hospice “family” who lovingly cared for her these past 2 years which allowed her to stay in her own home: Pam, Ruth and Sarah plus various CNA’s. Finally, a special “thank you” goes to Jan Tucker who kept her company in her kitchen every morning for over 50 years.

Those wishing to remember Bev can make a donation to the Copper Country Humane Society or to the charity of their choice.

Per her request there will be no memorial service at this time but a wake will be held later this summer to celebrate her life.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com

The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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