Beverly Gillespie

Beverly L. Gillespie died on April 28, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Center in Olathe, Kansas. She was born to Loren and Edythe Ball on December 20, 1923 in Kansas City, Kansas at the home of her grandparents. She attended grammar school in DeSoto, Kansas and graduated from Olathe High School. After graduation she went to work for the AAA. It was at this job that she met her future husband's aunt who encouraged her to write to Kenneth Gillespie as he was stationed in the South Pacific. After he returned from the service they were engaged and married September 23rd, 1945 in her parent's home.
Kenneth and Beverly moved to Riverdale, North Dakota where he was a fireman during the building of the Garrison Dam. When the Dam was complete they moved to Minot, North Dakota where Kenneth was the fire chief of the Minot Air Force Base. In 1970, during the Vietnam War, Beverly joined Kenneth in Saigon where he was the fire chief for the US Army and was in charge of setting up modern firefighting stations in Saigon. They returned to Minot in 1971. Kenneth died on December 31, 1972 and Beverly returned to Olathe. Beverly was a member of the Eastern Star in Minot and served as an officer in the wives' organization of the Officer's Club on the base. When she moved back to Olathe she was the legislative chairman for the American Legion Auxiliary for over 40 years. Beverly was a good democrat and was always interested in government issues. She always voted. She was also a member of the Sparkplugs which is the women's auxiliary to the Truckers Abdallah Shrine Unit. She attended the Presbyterian Church in Olathe.
Beverly is survived by three children: Kenneth Lynn Gillespie and wife Claudia of Minot, North Dakota, Leigh Allen of Olathe, and Pokey Hall and husband Robert of Olathe. Four grandchildren: Janet Degenstein and husband Curt of Minot, Jared Gillespie of Minot, Natalie Hill and husband Jeff of Leawood, Nyree Allen of Olathe. Two great-grandchildren: Lauren Hill and Lily Hill of Leawood. Her brother: Clifford Ball and wife Jo Ann of Olathe. Her sister: Cheryl Smith and husband Gary of Olathe and her niece Jessica Vogt and her husband Matt, numerous other nieces and nephews and may wonderful friends.
Contributions may be made to the Abdallah Shrine Crippled Children Transportation Fund.