Beverly Anne Kent

Born June 18, 1927, in Ishpeming, the daughter of Martin and Alice (Dobbs) DeVold, Bev was raised in Ishpeming and graduated from the Ishpeming High School, Class of 1945. On April 19, 1947, Bev was united in marriage to Donald Kent and together the couple made their home in Marquette where they raised their family. Bev was employed at JC Penney’s for 33 years in Ishpeming and in downtown Marquette. She retired in 1988 when the downtown store moved to the Westwood Mall. After retirement she and Don enjoyed traveling with Debbie Tours. She also worked elections for the City of Marquette, was active in RSVP of Marquette County and Saint Michael Parish donating hundreds of hours of knitting. Bev enjoyed the Hardee’s Walkers, where they would meet at Presque Isle Park for their walk, head to Hardee’s for coffee and socializing. The group would host afternoon and evening gatherings in their homes while enjoying their friendship. They donated funds for numerous benches at Presque Isle. Beverly belonged to St. Michael Parish since she moved to Marquette in 1950 and lived in the same house on Crescent Street until she had a serious fall in May of 2019. Throughout the years she enjoyed playing cards with neighbors, knitting for charity functions, and volunteering at Marquette General Hospital. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling.

Bev is survived by her children, Steve Kent and Barbara (Robert) O’Neill both of Marquette; her grandchildren, Jason (Vanessa) Kent of Madison, WI, Denise (Pete) Passivirta of Veikkola, Finland, Stacey (Ryan) Bright of Grand Rapids, MI, and Kimberly (Adam) Rudness of Green Bay, WI; great-grandchildren, Sofia and Ella Passivirta and Grayson Rudness; many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Bev was preceded in death by sisters, Eileen (the late Francis) Betts, Jean (the late Wallace) Revello, and Lucille (the late Lloyd) Johnstone; and brother, Woodrow (the late Helmi) DeVold.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Marquette County Medical Care Facility, where she had resided for the last year and half. They provided her compassionate and professional care throughout her stay and in her final days. We sincerely appreciate the doctors, nurses, and aides.

Due to COVID-19, no services will be held.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonha nsen.com