Beverly Bev Kays, 81, died Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls MN with Rev. Wesley Langaas officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Monday, August 3, 2009 at Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until time of services on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Beverly Jane Vik was born July 11, 1928 in Ada, MN the daughter of Lewis Lewy and Jeanette (Rage) Vik. She was baptized August 12, 1928 in Borup, MN and confirmed June 13, 1943 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bagley, MN. Bev graduated from Bagley High School in 1946 and earned her Teaching Degree from Bemidji State University in 1948.

She moved to Thief River Falls and started teaching at Knox and St. Hilaire Elementary Schools. She met and married Marshall Philip Kays. They were married on July 22, 1951 in Bagley, MN. Bev and Phil made their home in Thief River Falls, MN and to this union six children were born.

Raising her family was Bevs pride and joy. You could say she was familycentric . Bev loved following her children and grandchildren to their concerts, sporting events, plays, musicals, and any of their school or church activities. She could sit at any sporting event in any kind of weather. She loved to go for rides anywhere and her favorite area was Itasca State Park.

Bev got her first piano when she was seven years old. She carried the love of music and played for choirs, classrooms and congregations throughout her life. Bev played for her last church service at Abundant Life on July 5, 2009.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and for the last twenty five years was an active member of Abundant Life Lutheran Church. She also served on the Pennington County Welfare Board and Oakland Park Nursing Home Board.

Following Phils death on August 8, 1971, Bev attended Northland Community College in Thief River Falls and Bemidji State College to obtain her four year Teaching Degree. Bev taught elementary special learning disabilities students at Northrop, Knox and Mark Twain Schools, retiring in 1993.

Survivors include five children, Mark Kays of Chanhassen, MN, Thomas (Dianne) Kays of Thief River Falls, MN, Marshall Scott Kays of Moorhead, MN, Christopher (Kim) Kays of Fargo, ND, and David Kays of Chanhassen, MN; seven grandchildren, Marshall Andy (Rochelle) Kays, Lindsay (Tom) Knakmuhs, Brady Kays, Jonathan Kays, Brian Kays, Sydney Kays, and Christian Kays; three great grandchildren, Kenadi Kays, Kali Knakmuhs, and Trey Knakmuhs; sister, Margaret (John) Payne of Hemet, CA.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Phil; parents, Lewy and Jeanette Vik; step-mother, Mildred Vik and an infant daughter.