Beverly Jean (Frey) Strahm of Leawood, Kansas passed away peacefully on March 30, 2021 at the age of 90, while living with her daughter in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A devoted wife, mother, and friend, Bev was born in Dubois, Nebraska on January 13, 1931 to parents Harry and Martha (Hanni) Frey. She graduated from Bern High School in Bern, Kansas and attended Kansas State University at Emporia, Kansas. For seven years, she taught in one-room schoolhouses in Nemaha County, Kansas.

On June 5, 1955, Bev married her high school sweetheart, Vernon Strahm, in Bern. During the first 21 years of their union, they moved across the country for Vernon’s career with the federal government, and created homes in Parkville, Missouri; Sacramento, California; St. Louis, Missouri; Billings, Montana; and Derry, New Hampshire, before settling in Leawood, Kansas. Bev was born with a passion for travel, so each relocation was treated as an adventure—an opportunity to explore new places and make new friends. Her warm heart and generous spirit made each “Strahm B&B” a comfortable gathering place where friends were encouraged to visit.

Bev’s love of travel took her around the world, and in 2018, with a trip to Idaho, she achieved her goal of visiting all 50 states. Another of her life goals was to watch a baseball game in every major league stadium—she was only a few short. Her team was the KC Royals, and in her heyday, it was common to find her at Royals Stadium several nights a week.

She had a strong sense of civic duty, proudly serving as a poll worker in Johnson County and, along with Vernon, helped to build the first two Habitat for Humanity houses in Kansas. A lifelong Christian, Bev was an active member of Leawood United Methodist Church for 44 years, where she taught Sunday school, organized events, participated in mission trips locally and abroad, and lobbied for peace and justice with United Methodist Women.

Beverly is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernon Strahm; son, Jim Strahm; sister, Carol (Frey) Halden; and brother, Harlen Frey.

She is survived by son, JV (Joni) Strahm of Broomfield, Colorado; daughter, Jean (Boydd) Piper of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and sister-in-law, Loree (Strahm) Duncan of Independence, Missouri; grandchildren, Jessica (Gil), Jordon, and Jacob Strahm, Nathan (Jessica), Cara (Travis), and Tedd Piper; great-grandchildren, Carter, Prescott, Camila and Rylee, along with nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bern Cemetery in Bern, Kansas. A family visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on April 17, 2021 at Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Leawood United Methodist Church, Leawood, Kansas or the organization of your choice sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia, Sabetha, Kansas 66534. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.popkessmortuaries.com