Beverly Jean Amundson

“When the fireweed turns to cotton, the Summer will soon be forgotten.” Beloved mother, devoted friend and “good Alaskan” Beverly Jean Amundson, age 90, peacefully passed in her sleep surrounded by her surviving children on Aug. 14, 2021, in the comfort of her lakeside home in Anchorage, Alaska. Her spirit is carried on by her loving children, Steve, Surge, Gaya, Kimber; stepson, Curt; and all the grandchildren. Preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Carla. Bev cherished being called “Grandma Bev” by all who loved and adored her. In 1948, at the tender age of 17, Bev and her three best friends, Betty, Kitty and Chuck, realized their dreams “North to the Future” from Minnesota to Alaska. Bev had an adventurous spirit, a curious soul and a passion for fun. Before the age of 19, Bev had married and had her first son, Edward “Steve” Flynn. The next 15 years she worked an array of jobs: as a stewardess - until they found out she was underage; at The Colonial Dress Shop owned by Mrs. Ada Loussac; and she also issued Float Slips at the Lake Hood Airport, where she met and married her husband, Surge, of 19 years. While living at the Loussac Building in downtown Anchorage, she witnessed the J.C. Penny Building collapse in the “Good Friday” 1964 earthquake. Bev was a typical Alaska housewife, with the coffee pot always “on,” while she managed the commercial properties and apartments, in both Anchorage and Wasilla. She stoically waited for her pilot/guide husband to come home from hunting trips. She kept the home fires burning, the bills paid and the children entertained with swimming, picnics, ice skating, snogoing, hockey and school activities. In the 1980s, Bev moved her family to Ashland, Ore. She swam in her pool, biked, gardened and cross-country skied on Mt. Ashland; this proved to be absolute paradise, for a while. Like with most Alaskans, she felt the “Call of the Wild” and returned home. When most people of a similar age were retiring, Bev returned to the work force full-time with the National Guard. Bev kept a seasonal residence in Palm Springs, where she lived during “Break-Up.” Bev always returned to Alaska to ice skate in the winter and bike ride in the summer in front of her homes either on Westchester Lagoon or Cheney Lake. Over the years Bev had many groups of friends, Wasilla - “Happy Hookers,” National Guard, “The Garden Club” and the Captain Cook Hotel. Each group of gals supported friendship with exciting activities and monthly potlatch. Everyone devoured Bev’s Scandinavian Christmas cookies and lefsa during the holidays. Every fall, Bev and her son Steve enjoyed an annual cross-country RV/bike ride adventure to the East Coast and Canada; “just to see the leaves change colors.” She biked in Germany, cruised to Greece and Egypt, and went on safari in Africa. Bev was a captivating storyteller, played a mean game of Rummikub and all were welcome at Bev’s Bed and Breakfast. Bev loved her books, bikes, lakes, loons, licorice and ice cream. All of us are proud to have had such a strong, funny, beautiful, courageous and generous mother who continued to teach, guide and raise us. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to your local hospice chapter.