Beverly Jean Baxter, age 72 of Spearfish, formerly of Faith, SD, passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at David M. Dorsett Regional Health Care in Spearfish.


The Funeral Service for Bev will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, May 4, 2012 at the United Methodist Church in Faith. Pastor Harold Delbridge will officiate with burial in the Faith Cemetery. The Eulogy will be provided by Dennis Fernau.


Serving as casket bearers are Anthony Larson, Robert Russell, Troy Clutter, Shane Spradlin, Gary Uhrig, and Dennis Fernau. Special Honorary casket bearers are Bev's grandchildren.


BEVERLY JEAN SCHELL was born January 17, 1940 in Lemmon, SD to Constant and Mildred (Bowers) Schell. She grew up on the Schell farm near Meadow and attended high school in Lemmon. Bev was united in marriage to Henry L. Larson October 7, 1955 in Rapid City, SD. They began their life together on the Larson homestead. Four children, Debbie, Harry, Scott, and Stacey were born to this union. The Larson family had lived in numerous places.


In 1969, Bev and her children moved to Faith where she operated the V.F.W. until the mid 1970's. She began working with Dupree/Faith School district in 1976 as an Assistant Business Manager and secretary to the Superintendent. After the district split in 1980, Bev worked full time in Faith as the Business Manager.


Bev was united in marriage to Lewis (Bozo) Wattenhofer, whom she made a home with in Faith for 12 years before passing away in 1990.


In 1994, Bev was united in marriage to J.W. Baxter. As they made their home in Faith, Bev continued working at the school until retiring in 2000 after 24 years of dedicated service. J.W. passed away on September 23, 1997.


Bev moved to Spearfish in 2000 and later on resided at a retirement home and then the David M. Dorsett Regional Health Care where she passed away on April 28, 2012.


She enjoyed walking, line dancing, bowling, listening to music, playing cards, puzzles, travelling and going out for ice cream. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends.


Surviving family members include her 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Stacey and Mark Russell, Spearfish, SD; Debbie and John Baker, Oakdale, MN; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Harry and Karla Larson, Meadow, SD; Scott and Rhonda Larson, Lemmon, SD; 9 grandchildren, Anthony, Alvina, Debbie, Roxi, Brittany, Kala, Robbie, Matt and Maria; and 4 great grandchildren, Chance, Lilly, Codi and Madison; 1 sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Emil Schell, Shadehill, SD; and on the Wattenhofer side of the family, stepchildren Scott (Jackie) Wattenhofer, Cindy (Alan) Beigler, Nate Wattenhofer, Greg (LeAnne) Wattenhofer, Lisa Wattenhofer, and Corey (Dawn) Wattenhofer. 13 step grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren; and on the Baxter side of the family, stepchildren Laura (Kurt) Barker, Jay (Elka) Baxter, and Barbara (Kyle) Carnes, and 7 step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and 1 brother, James Schell.


A memorial has been established to the Faith School Building Fund, PO Box 619, Faith, SD 57626.


Visitation will be on Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00pm at the Faith Area Memorial Chapel of the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Faith and on Friday one hour prior to services at the United Methodist Church in Faith.