BEVERLY JEAN KIHN ATTWELL

Beverly was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher and friend.

Beverly Jean Hayes was born on March 4, 1931, to the late Grady A. and Margaret (Mills) Hayes at Selfridge Air Force Base in Mount Clemens, Michigan. She was the first baby girl to be born at the Selfridge Base Hospital. She grew up in Herron, Michigan and on Oct. 25, 1947, she married Clarence Kihn of Hubbard Lake, who preceded her in death in 1981. Together they had two daughters Bonnie and Kristi. She later married her longtime friend Chuck Attwell on Oct. 30, 1995, and they enjoyed many winters together in Riverview, Florida. He preceded her in death in 2018.

Beverly graduated from Alpena High School and Alpena County Normal teacher training. She later obtained BA and MS degrees from Central Michigan University. She taught in Alpena County for 36 years including three 1-room schoolhouses (Stovel, Baker and Miller), Hinks, Besser and Alpena High School. She retired in 1989. She always referred to her students as “her kids” and fondly remembered them throughout her lifetime. She said, “My work is very fulfilling to me. If you enjoy what you are doing it doesn’t seem like work.”

She was active in the community — volunteering for United Way, Special Olympics Area Director, teaching Sunday school, Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls Mother Advisor, Camp Merriment Director (for special children and adults), Delta Kappa Gamma, VFW Auxiliary and Alpena Women’s Golf Association. She enjoyed golfing, traveling, bowling, playing cards and games, socializing, talking on the phone, watching Detroit Lions and Tigers, and most of all spending time with her family who she loved beyond measure.

Beverly was recognized for excellence as the Alpena Zonta Woman of the Year, Michigan Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Federated Chapters of the Council for Exceptional Children, the Anne Sullivan award from her coworkers, Teacher of the Year by Alpena Public Schools and Alpena Hall of Fame Sports Booster of the year.

She will be remembered as a selfless, loving, generous woman who inspired many throughout her lifetime.

She is survived by her daughters Bonnie (Loren) Urlaub and Kristi (Steve) Poel along with six grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren: Mike (Tracey) Urlaub and their children Adam and Allie, Dave (Rene’e) Urlaub and their children Austin, Aaron and Amelia, Jessica (Poel) Pletcher and children Kelan, Brady, Ruby and Marlee, Adam (Katelyn) Poel and their children Abe, Ella and Vivy, Molly (Eric) Wrzensinski and their children Zeke and Evie, and Kasey (Jaynee) Poel and their children Mary Kaye and Teddy.

She is also survived by her brother John (Maureen) Blakely of Oregon and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Barbara Hayes. Also surviving are Chuck’s family; Shelly (Wayne) Wilson of Pennsylvania and their children and grandchildren and Steve (deceased) (Sue) Attwell of Alpena and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her stepfather Virgil Donnan, her sister Mary Ann (Kaiser) Corthals; brothers-in-law, Earl Kaiser, Al Corthals, her brother and sister-in-law Grady Hayes (Katie) Jr; and her brother Donald Hayes.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alpena where she was a member, from 9 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James Erickson and the Rev. Joshua Schultz officiating. Arrangements are being handled by the Bannan Funeral Home.

Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Alpena.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a church or charity of your choice.