Beverly Crouter

Beverly Jo Ann Crouter passed away from heart failure on Thursday, May 30, 2024.  She was 84 years, 6 months, and 17 days old. 

Beverly was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on November 13, 1939 to Chester and Jimma Lou Beltz. 

In 1958, she graduated from Thomas Jefferson high school and married Charles F. Vanecek. Together they raised 4 children, all girls. During this time Bev sold Avon, volunteered at the kids' school and was a member of the PTA. She also sang in the Glendale church choir and helped her mom make draperies at Bev-Lar-Nan. 

After a divorce, Bev married Frederick Crouter in 1972. Together they owned a business called Pages of History. They traveled all over the United States sharing their displays of newspapers depicting historic events in shopping malls. Bev loved visiting relatives on these trips and seeing all the tourist sites along the way. 

Beverly began working for ManPower in the early 70's, then completed a 10 year career with Enron. She also worked briefly as the Christian Education Coordinator for Broadway Christian Church. She had a strong desire to be educated. She took college classes for 20 years and finally earned her Bachelor's degree from UNO. She was also certified as a Myers-Briggs Type Tester, earned a certificate in ministry from Creighton University, and studied Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky.

Bev had a passion for horses since she was a child. She worked at Aksarben for Jack VanBerg as a hot walker. She learned to ride English style and joined the North Hills Hunt Club, the Gamble Hills Hunt Club and the Wabash Hunt Club.  She enjoyed fox hunting on horseback all around the Midwest. She also cared for the hounds, feeding and walking them daily for many years. Bev earned the esteemed red coat for being a master of hounds. Bev owned several horses during her active years, including two retired racehorses. She competed in Show Jumping, earning awards for her skill in this dangerous sport. 

Beverly was a poet. She wrote scores of poems throughout her life, some being deeply emotional. She is published in several volumes of Fine Lines, UNO's Celebrate, and Lyrical Iowa. She was an avid learner, participating in book and poetry clubs. She was constantly on the go, experiencing something new. In addition to the titles most women have, hers included Poet, Secretary, Avon lady, Sorority sister (Beta Sigma Phi social sorority), Master Gardener, Red Hat, Blogger (Canny Canines - the adventures of Huck and Nemo), and Stephen Minister. She was a Christian and active in the Presbyterian Church all her life, belonging to both Glendale and Grace Presbyterian Churches in Council Bluffs.

Beverly had a passion for every living thing and caringly personified every pet she had. She understood nature and was comfortable in it. She loved living on her acreage, taking visitors on a hike up the big hill behind the house at every visit. She had a loving heart for animals and underdogs, helping both whenever she could, and with whatever means she had. She was a rescuer, of any person, animal or thing that crossed her path in need. She also let people be however they were and never forced her will on anyone. She enjoyed company when she was out galivanting and she was always fun to be with. Her calendar was constantly full her entire life. She always included celebrating special milestones and events with her family and friends and hated to miss anything. She is an inspiration to all of us.  

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Beltz and Jimma Lou Beltz Taylor, stepfather John Taylor, brother Larry Beltz, half-brother Russell Beltz, husband Frederick Crouter, nephew Samuel King, son-in-law Dale Hanson, and daughter Rhonda Vanecek. 

Bev is survived by her sister Nancy King (Steve) of North Platte, Ne., step-brother John Taylor Jr (Nancy) of Elkhorn, daughters, Glenda Yost of Omaha, Ne, Krystal Hanson of Council Bluffs, Lisa Miller (Greg) of Valley, Ne. Grandchildren Brittney Vanecek of Las Vegas, NV, Samantha Slyter of Somerset, NJ, Michael Hanson (Jeni) of Omaha, Ne, Seth Hanson (Kayla)  of Omaha, Ne, Amber Klein (Matthew) of Valley, Ne, and Grant Miller of Omaha, Ne. Great Grandchildren Lily and Howard Hanson, Charlie and Cole Klein. Many nieces and nephews and lifelong friend, Jane Slightam.

A Celebration Of Her Life will be on June 8, 2024 with special remarks to begin at 11:00 AM followed by visitation until 1:00 PM at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home Community Room. 

Please direct memorials to:
Quail Run Horse Center
22021 W Maple Road
Elkhorn, Ne. 68022

Midlands Humane Society
1020 Railroad Highway St Unit A
Council Bluffs, Ia. 51502