Beverly Kiernan

Beverly Rae (Bramer) Kiernan passed away July 12, 2023 after living a blessed, active, and fulfilling ninety-three years. Her ninety-three years were filled with family, friends, travel, music, a love of learning, and a generous spirit.

Bev was a lifelong resident of Green Bay and graduated from West High in 1948. She met Patrick Kiernan in high school, they were married in 1950, and they raised two daughters, Linda and Mary.

In the 50's and 60's, they took many camping trips to Door County with their children, a trip to Yellowstone, Washington D.C. and Florida. Later as a couple, Pat and Bev traveled the country in every direction: the Southeast, the Northeast, the Deep South, Colorado, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Canada.

Family was very important to Pat and Bev. In 1975, when their first grandchild was born, they bought "the cottage" on Chute Pond and envisioned extended family and many grandchildren enjoying time there. Their vision came true. For many years, they hosted huge family gatherings and went swimming, boating, hiking, and berry picking with all seven grandchildren. "The cottage" was an extremely important part of their grandchildren's lives, and the time spent there developed into cherished memories.

Pat and Bev were devoted parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Many hours were spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house building forts, playing games, and swimming in their pool. After Pat's passing, Bev continued this involvement in a variety of ways including driving grandchildren to and from school--from kindergarten to college. Each grandchild, great grandchild, nephew, and niece loved her, respected her, admired her, and learned from her. They learned life lessons through her example: a strong work ethic, incredible tenacity, a giving spirit, and a love of learning.

Bev loved learning as evidenced by the many books she read each week, the many classes she took through Learning in Retirement, and the amazing Elder Hostel trips she enjoyed. Even though she was always a good student, perhaps her love of learning blossomed during her years as a librarian for Brown County where she worked at the Central Library and on the bookmobile. While she was quite humble, she was very proud of her time on the bookmobile and her second career with the Green Bay Area Public Schools as a school secretary for thirty years, most recently at West High, her alma mater.

Her love of music led her to participate in the high school band as a trombonist, and she was thrilled that as a freshman she was asked to be the pianist in the varsity swing band. Throughout her adulthood, she was often in the audience at high school and community band concerts which she enjoyed as recently as this summer.

Bev had an array of interests that she was well known for, but she also had a very giving spirit, something she didn't talk about. Instead, she simply acted. For years, she served as a Girl Scout leader, volunteered at Kennedy School helping children build their reading skills, helped with Vacation Bible School, and supported several charities both locally and nationally. If someone was in need, she would help. Whether it was a student at one of the schools or a single mom she heard about, they benefited from her generous heart.

Bev is survived by her daughters, Linda Wagner Toonen, Mary (Bill) Stoltenberg and seven grandchildren: Heather (Dustin) Wagner Kaap, Jon (Sally) Wagner, Matt (Becky) Wagner, Joel (Brittany) Wagner, Bill (Jenni) Stoltenberg, Brian (Erin) Stoltenberg, and Ben (Jen) Stoltenberg. She is also survived by twelve great grandchildren: Sam and Avery Kaap, Emerson and Adelyn Wagner, Kiera and Max Wagner, Uma and Juno Wagner, Nathan and Graham Stoltenberg, and Waylon and Stella Stoltenberg. There are nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends and a special caregiver, Sandra, who will also miss her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pat Kiernan; her sister, Marian Hoslet; her son-in-law, Craig Toonen, and two brothers-in-law, Mike Kiernan and David Hoslet.

Visitation and funeral will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church 1301 South Ridge Road Green Bay on Monday, July 24. Visitation from 9:30 - 11:00 AM, funeral to follow at 11:00 AM. Pastor Jerry Manshlt will officiate. Burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.NewcomerGreenBay.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Foster the Village 1440 Division St. Green Bay, WI 54303 or Love Life Ministry 505 Clinton St. Green Bay, WI 54304 Foster the Village is a nonprofit organization that provides basic needs such as clothing, shoes, toys, etc. to support foster children and foster parents. Love Life Ministry is a nonprofit organization that provides diapers, layettes, baby clothing, and baby furniture to families in need.

Bev left an incredible mark on those in her life. It seemed she knew everyone in town through her involvement with the Girl Scouts for twenty-five years, her work for the schools for thirty years, her involvement in Annunciation and St. Agnes parishes, Calvary Lutheran Church, and her involvement in Learning in Retirement at UWGB. Little did she realize she was a strong role model to many and touched several lives through her love and support.