Beverlee White

Wonderful, witty, and kind, Beverlee White was a dynamic, intelligent person who lived life to the fullest. A nurturing mother, a wonderful friend, and a fun-loving woman, Beverlee embraced life as it was and led by example. She was pragmatic, but generous, creative, and sensitive. Beverlee inspired others to live in the moment facing challenges head on, taking pride in successes, finding joy in life’s unexpected changes. A powerful role model for all who were blessed to know her, especially her children and grandchildren, Beverlee will long be remembered and dearly missed by those she so dearly loved.

The roaring 20s brought dramatic social and political change. Post-war peace, a booming economy, rising wages for many Americans, and a higher standard of living for most. In the mountains and farm lands of Idaho, hard work and tenacity marked a person’s success as they determined how to make their dreams reality. This vibrant decade grew even brighter for McKinley and Mina Randall as they welcomed their cherished daughter, Beverlee, on June 5, 1929, in Winchester, Idaho.

The only child of hard-working farmers, Beverlee grew up in Craigmont, Idaho. She rode her horse, Ribbon, to the one-room schoolhouse where she began her formal education. As her mother was a former teacher, education was an important value in her home. Beverlee was happy to leave the farm and move to her Aunt Laura and Uncle Jim’s to attend high school and seek new adventures in the bigger city of Lewiston, Idaho.

After graduating from High School, Beverlee continued her education at the University of Idaho in Moscow, where she majored in Dietetics. She had a wide circle of friends and joined the Alpha Phi Sorority. Beverlee loved campus and sorority life and always remembered her days at the University as some of her happiest. During her last semester of college, she received a highly desired placement as a dietetic intern at the University of Michigan.

While studying and working at the University of Michigan Hospital, she met her future husband, James P. White. The couple began dating and married on July 26, 1952, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After marrying, the newlyweds moved to the Kalamazoo area. Beverlee worked at Bronson Hospital as a Registered Dietitian until they welcomed their two daughters to their family. She left the work force to raise her daughters Vicki and Kim. A very pragmatic and no-nonsense person, Beverlee wanted her children to enjoy their childhoods filled with friends and active social lives. Having experienced the isolation of living on a farm, she wanted better for her children and was willing to let Vicki and Kim be themselves and choose their own friends.

In 1965, Beverlee started pursuing her master’s degree in counseling at Western Michigan University. She then began a new career in counseling and guidance. In time, she also earned her Ed.D. at the University of Michigan while continuing to work at the job she loved, helping students at Western Michigan University with academic and personal counseling. During her 25 years at the university, she enjoyed working with “undecided students” and created a career resources center and developed a class for career exploration. She was instrumental in freshman orientation and training student leaders on campus to help the incoming freshmen navigate the campus and its services. In addition to being a trailblazer and pioneer in her job, she once again, joined her Alpha Phi sorority sisters in the alumnae group. Beverlee served as chair of the House Corporation Board as the sorority house was built in Fraternity Village on the WMU campus. Both Vicki and Kim have vivid memories of going with their mom to work on various finishing tasks as the house was nearing completion!

After completing a twenty-five-year tenure at Western, upon her retirement in 1992, Beverlee was granted emeritus status for distinguished and unique contributions to the university. Beverlee actively nurtured many close and enduring friendships, including several fellow retirees from WMU, as well as friends from her elementary, high school, and college days in Idaho. She was very loyal, fun, and stayed in touch through letters and long phone conversations. She always traveled to every reunion, enjoying being with these special friends in person!

Retirement provided Beverlee with the opportunity to travel, especially enjoying traveling with her good friend, Marie Stevens. They explored faraway places like Ireland (her favorite), Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and historical sites in the south from their condo in Hilton Head, South Carolina. At home, she enjoyed gardening, and reading particularly generational series and historical fiction. She was an avid fan of the New York Times Crossword Puzzle and listening to live jazz. Combining a good meal with her family watching college basketball or golf on TV was always fun.

Having learned to play Bridge in college, it became her favorite hobby. She played with several partners in a number of groups. Every Sunday, Beverlee played bridge with a lovely group of friends that even came to her home to play, once mobility challenges kept her at home. She loved all things art. A wonderful cook, many of her original recipes became specialties, that she delighted her friends and family with as seasonal gifts. Christmas always meant dozens and dozens of pans of her world-famous Cinnamon Rolls! Beverlee also enjoyed a good scotch.

Her true heart’s delight were her twin grandsons, Jay and Billy. “Come ovah, Nana, come ovah!” Sweet little words from her favorite little boys. She maintained a close and unique bond with them forever. Great grandchildren, Brennan and Kellyn brought her laughter, joy, and wonderful warm hugs in her 80’s and 90’s.

As we celebrate Beverlee’s beautiful life, we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. We also find comfort in the honor of carrying her vibrant and adventurous legacy forward. In each moment we confidently face life’s challenges, graciously share ourselves with others, cheer on our friends’ and family’s endeavors, send a special message to a lifelong friend, relish a good meal or scotch, or share an adventure with a loved one, we keep Beverlee’s memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Beverlee White, age 96, of Kalamazoo, died on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Members of her family include her 2 daughters: Vicki (William P) Eichstaedt and Kim White (Barry C Perk); 2 grandchildren, James P (Katie Brennan) Eichstaedt, William R (Amber Warren) Eichstaedt; 2 great-grandchildren, Brennan James Eichstaedt, Kellyn Everly Eichstaedt.

Cremation has taken place. Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Friday, October 24, from 4-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900, where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Celebrate Beverlee’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial Contributions may be directed to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Kalamazoo Animal Rescue.