Mrs. Beverly K. Stroh, age 52, of Gun Powder Road, Rockwood, TN and former resident of Gwinn, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at Baptist West Hospital in Knoxville. She was born January 4, 1957 in Lima, OH. She was a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). She attended the Defense Language Institute and became a German Liaison officer/interpreter while assigned at Rhein Main AFB, Frankfurt Germany during Desert Shield/Desert Storm until 1993. She was selected and awarded the Marquette County of Michigan Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 1987. She was the Economic Development Officer for the City of Rockwood, former Manager of Marketing and Tourism for Roane County; and former Webmaster for Northern Michigan University. As an avid supporter of Sled Dog racing, she designed and maintained the website for the annual “UP 200/Midnite Run” sled dog races. She loved her grandchildren, dogs, cross country skiing and boating. She was preceded in death by her parents, F.H. “Pete” Downhower, Sr. & Muriel Martin Downhower.
Survivors include:
Husband: Frank Stroh of Rockwood, TN
Daughter: Mandy Basal & spouse, Darrell of Kingston, TN
Son: Frank Stroh, Jr. of Rockwood, TN
Grandchildren: Isabella, Alexis & Riley
Sister: Sharon Smith & husband, Owen of Lima, OH
Brothers: Francis H. Downhower, Jr. & wife, Judy of Alden, NY
James Downhower & wife, Sandy of Lima, OH
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
Evans Mortuary of Rockwood is handling cremation arrangements.
Guestbook Entries
Frank and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Bev will be missed by all who knew her.
John Mihaleow (Skandia, MI)
To the Stroh Family- Sharon and I knew Frank and Bev Stroh while we were stationed at K.I. Sawyer AFB, Michigan. Bev was a fun and very loving person who would do any and everything to help a friend. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with Frank and the rest of the family.
Ron and Sharon Thomason (Summerville, SC)
May God be with the family and help them through this difficult time.
R Durham (Rockwood, TN)
I had the pleasure of working with Bev in Communications & Marketing for 3 years. Much of what I learned is attributed to her teaching. She was such a wonderful person, always positive, always smiling. I am honored to have had the privilege of knowing such a beautiful person. She will be greatly missed.
Katie Gallagher (Haslett, MI)
Dear Frank and Family.
I had the pleasure of meeting Beverly at the Alliance. We shared both our military experience (she was USAF, I was Navy) and the fact that we were both kidney transplant recipients. As recently as 2 weeks before she died we planned an activity to promote organ donor awareness. She was always thinking of others. She will be missed.
Jill McMaster (Kingston, TN)
Bev was one of my favorite people of all time and I am blessed to have been her friend. Just a few weeks before she passed, she, Jeff Denale, and I were sharing a flurry of emails about our fantastic memories of days at K.I. Sawyer; my first OSI Detachment Commander assignment and Jeff's first OSI Det. Those days were my best ever in the Air Force, thanks to this one special lady. My memories of Bev and Frank and the whole KI gang bring me great joy. Bev and I left KI at the same time, now nearly 22 years ago, but it seems like yesterday...that's the kind of impact she always made. I loved reading all your comments, and remember this, as we laugh at the great memories of Bev, she is laughing with us. Thank God for Beverly K. Stroh!
W.A. Locke III (St. Charles, MO)
Frank and Family
Thank you for sharing Bev with all of us mushers. She is one of the reasons that the UP200 is my favorite race. I'll never forget the first time I meet Bev. She was upgrading the Bio's on the mushers and she wanted to know who were my handlers. I said "horney Dick". She said no way can I put that in there. I continued to tell her that everybody call him that because of his hat, he has this viking hat with horns on it. She did put that into my bio and that made my handler famous. She will be greatly missedby all of us. We only were a small part of her life. You were the lucky ones to have her all the time.
Mike Bestgen (St. Cloud, MN)
Frank,
I am very sorry to hear about Bev. Being able to meet her in February and work with both you and Bev during the sled dog races was truly a blessing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Carol Bell (Marquette, MI)
Frank and Family,
You have the sympathy of the entire crew at the Negaunee Post Office. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sarah Barrette (Negaunee, MI)
It was with great sadness that I read Beverly's obituary in the Marquette Mining Journal. We have many great memories of working on the booster club together in Gwinn and all of the laughter we used to share. Her infectious smile and great personality made her one of a kind. Our sympathies go out to you and your family.
Mike and Ruth Forgette (Gwinn, MI)
Dear Frank and Family, I haven't known Beverly very long but, she became an instant friend. I met her when she worked with the Roane Alliance and Chamber. She put her heart into making Roane County a better place for us all. We shall all miss her! I will be praying for your family.
Debbie Mee (Harriman, TN)
Dear Frank and Family, Words are inadequate to express our sorrow at receiving the news of Bev's passing. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
Linda and Delbert Storms (Marquette, MI)
Dear Frank and Family I had the pleasure of working with Bev & Frank as Security Police Officers at KI Sawyer AFB MI, and when Bev became an agent with AFOSI. Frank, I may even have been the first person to advise Bev of her Art 31 rights. My daughter sent me the obit from the Marquette paper and I was very saddened to learn of Bev's death. I always enjoyed working with her. She brought vitality to everything she did. Please accept my sincere condolences and know that I will keep her and you in my prayers.
Jim Corr (Limerick, ME)
Frank, we are saddned to learn of the sudden death of your wife. We will be remembering you and your family during this time with our prayers and thoughts.
Jim Dalton (Harriman, TN)
Sorry to hear about Bev. We got toewith the involvment of the UP200/Midnight Run Sled Dog Race she did a wonderful job. Bev will be greatly missed.
Cathy & Terry Sleeter (Marquette, MI)
My prayers go out to Bev's Family- Frank just want to let you know I'm thinking about you and your family and my heart goes out to all of you. Sincerely,
Terri Corr (Gwinn, MI)
I was stationed with Bev at K.I. Sawyer AFB for a number of years. I remember her as a great person and a fantastic law enforcement officer. My deepest sympathies to her family. I am sure she will be greatly missed.
Kory Dykstra (Gwinn, MI)
Dear Family,
Every year greeting Bev at the UP200 was one of the things that I always looked forward too.I will miss her smile and warmth and unyielding support of the sled dogs. I will keep her in my thoughts as the dogs and I cover the trail this year.
Eric Morris (Port Wing, WI)
It was with great sadness that I learned of Bev's death. She always had such a positive attitude. Frank and Sharon would travel with her each year to Michigan for our sled dog race and she maintained our web page all year long. Her sense of humor, always a ready smile and her made up 'awards' will be something I always remember. She will be miss by all of us in Marquette, as those whose life she touched in her many travels.
Pam Forsberg (Marquette, MI)
Frank and Family,
My deepest sympathies. Bev was a dear high school friend. We did get to talk a little at her Mom's funeral. The Air Force seems so long ago.
Cole Gerstner (Zanesville, OH)
Dear Frank and Family, We are profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Bev. She was the first friendly face we met when looking to purchase property in Crystal Cove. We deeply regret that we will not have the opportunity to know her as a future neighbor and friend. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Lance and Rebecca Venarchick (Boca Raton, FL)
Bev was such a beautiful person, and a wonderful student in our Master's in Public Administration program at Northern Michigan University. Please know that she touched us too, and that we were blessed to know and work with her. As Bev's close family, I am sure she will be missed, and you have my condolences in your loss. But she is now free from cancer, and that is a wonderful thing.
Prof. David Carlson (Marquette, MI)
Frank and family, I am heartbroken. I am so glad I was able to talk to her a couple of months ago. She sounded so well and we did our usually laughing at our past antics. Her laughter, sense of humor, and love of jokes is what I will always remember about her. Please know Frank that you and the kids are in my prayers and thoughts. I will talk to you soon. Lots of love....
Jami Clark (Billings, MT)
Many thoughts and prayers for comfort to the family. Bev was a beautiful person who gave her all for all she did. All of us who got to know her from the UP200 will miss her deeply. May you be blessed in knowing that she was a good person.
Brenda Ransom (Sault Ste. Marie, MI)
Frank and Family please know that Bev will be greatly missed. She was the best. I really enjoyed working with the two of you at KI Sawyer. May God Bless you.
John Sheppard (Kankakee, IL)
Frank and family: May thoughts and warm memories bring you comfort.
Carey Spencer (Rockwood, TN)
I meet Bev and Frank while station @ KI Sawyer, what fond memories I have, which I treasure... Like the time we were in a boat that sank, Frank holding up life jackets on the shore and Bev helping me get in since I do not swim.. There were some many laughs with the both of you..What a great person she was. My pryer go out to you and the family.
Cory Matranga (San Antonio, TX)
Frank, We were very sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. The Law Enforcement Community in Marquette held both of you in high regard with your service to Country, Local Law Enforcement and Community Service.
Please be assured our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family, we all lost a very outstanding lady.
Mike & Dottie Quayle (Marquette, MI)
Frank & Family:
I just came across the notice of Bev's passing. I am so sorry for you and your family. I have very fond memories of Bev when she & I were stationed together. My condolences to you and your family. May the Good Lord help you and yours in the healing process.
Bill "Doc" Domowicz (Gwinn, MI)
I am very sorry to hear of Beverly's early passing. She was a valued member of my Communications and Marketing staff at Northern Michigan University -- and a very cheerful and positive presence, to boot. I greatly enjoyed trading "war stories" with her. My sincere condolences to the family.
MIke Clark (Engadine, MI)
Frank and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Bev's passing. I never new she was ill - I would hear from her once in a while with a cheery note or a rememberance from our days in Germany.
Take care and God Bless
Ray Lewis (Mechanicsville, MD)
I became friends with Beverly when we worked together at the Roane Alliance. Beverly's always positive attitude about life was an inspiration to me. I wish I could pick up the phone one more time and hear her ask me "Jackson, how the heck are you and when is our next mandatory meeting" I will truly miss my friend. Rest well Beverly.
Teresa Jackson (Kingston, TN)
Frank and Family: Our military paths crossed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We worked hard together but also shared many laughs. Frank, Bev was way too young but I know your family will have many cherished memories. My thoughts are with you all.
Mike Simondet (San Marcos, TX)
My thoughts and prayers to all of you. Beverly will be greatly missed. She was a wonderful and special person.
Caprice Feys (Negaunee, MI)
So much of what I do today is still inspired by Beverly. She was my mentor and my friend, and she will be missed.
Eric (Marquette, MI)
We loved dear Beverly so very much...way too young. She certainly left a mark in our lives that can never be erased...in all she did, she was an inspiration and a guiding light...certainly one of a kind...we miss her so very much! Bye, bye Bev.
Jerry & Erika Schenk (Rockwood, TN)
I knew Beverly through her position at the Roane Alliance and my position at the Kingston Post Office, we were both retired USAF. Bev was a big supporter of Roane County Chapter86 Disabled American Veterans van program. Our prayers will forever be with her family and our joys in the peace she has found. Thank you Bev.
Joe Long (Loudon, TN)
Tom Pierce
Dear Frank & family: I am indeed sorry about Beverly. I counted her as a friend and great co-worker. Let me know if I can do anything to help. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Wayne Duggin (Rockwood, TN)
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