Beverly Rue Harmsen (née Malek)

Beverly Rue Harmsen (née Malek)

Beverly Rue Harmsen (née Malek) of Wisconsin Rapids passed away peacefully Saturday, March 7, 2026. She was born Aug. 19, 1936, to Frank and Bertha “Birdie” Malek, one of their three daughters.

She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1954. Together with her dear friend Eunice Matthews, she moved to Minneapolis to attend the Northwest Institute of Medical Technology, where she received a diploma in clinical laboratory techniques.

Shortly after returning to Wisconsin Rapids, Beverly met Carl, the love of her life. They were married Oct. 26, 1956, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. In the years that followed, they moved several times as Carl completed his education and built his career, while she focused on their growing family of four children.

One of those moves brought them to Italy, where Bev developed a love of focaccia bread, the friendly people and the rich colors of the Mediterranean. It was there that she first discovered the thrill of hunting for unique paintings and artwork—a hobby she continued for most of her life.

After many years as a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother, Bev embarked on an unexpected and meaningful business with Carl. Together they operated the Essex House, a modern rooming house that welcomed families whose loved ones were undergoing organ transplants at the University of Minnesota Hospital. This work became a deep source of pride and fulfillment for Beverly, who offered encouragement, warmth, and daily connection to the families who stayed there.

In retirement, she spent summers at the family cabin in Hatfield, WI, and winters at their home in Punta Gorda, FL, where several close couples purchased homes near one another. This lively group of friends—known affectionately as the “Flamingoes”—remained a cherished part of her life.

Bev was a loyal friend and a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was known for her optimism, her sense of humor and the genuine interest she took in the lives of others. Her Lutheran faith remained a quiet but steady foundation throughout life’s challenges, including the loss of a grandchild and the lifelong care of another with a traumatic brain injury. Together with Carl, she built a life filled with love, hospitality and community, and she was blessed with many lifelong friendships. 

Above all, Beverly loved her family. She was a devoted mother to Jane Kaplan, Jill Roy, Tim Harmsen and Marcia Young and a beloved mother-in-law to their spouses. She was a proud grandmother to 14 grandchildren and a cherished great-grandmother, and she traveled often to spend time with her children and grandchildren—visits that were among her greatest joys.

Beverly was a proud Norwegian who lived with spirit, humor and a generous heart. Her quick wit and unmistakable spark brought smiles and laughter to everyone fortunate enough to know her, and her family will carry forward the warmth, laughter, and lively spirit that made her unmistakably herself.