Beverly “Bev” (Tostrud) Gavin, 86, passed away peacefully at home on August 22, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on August 11, 1940, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Milan and Hilda Tostrud.

Beverly met the love of her life, Ronald Gavin, as a teenager in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They arrived at a dance with other dates but left together. Both were wonderful dancers who shared a love of music—Beverly especially loved Elvis Presley, while Ronald favored Johnny Cash—and they both enjoyed music from the 1950s and 1960s.

Beverly also loved ice skating, roller skating, and long walks outdoors, especially through botanical gardens where she could admire the flowers. As a young person, she was involved in Job’s Daughters and made lifelong friends.

At age 14, Beverly began working at JCPenney as a retail clothing clerk in the smartwear department, sparking a lifelong love of fashion. She enjoyed shopping for new outfits, especially in cobalt blue, red, and red orange.

She later worked for many years as a banquet hall hostess at Alioto’s, where she served many Milwaukee Brewers players in the early 1980s. She continued her career as a receptionist at Wisconsin State Fair Park for 11 years.

Beverly and Ronald loved the Northwoods and fishing on many lakes, especially Willow Flowage. She also treasured trips for occasional casino visits with family. During the winter, Beverly and Ronnie traveled to warmer places across the country, visiting historic sites and enjoying stops at casinos and riverboats. An avid sports fan, Beverly enjoyed cheering for the Brewers, Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Bucks.

Wherever Beverly went, she made friends easily. With her heart of gold, she made everyone feel warm and welcome and will be deeply missed. She especially cherished her lifelong best friend, Dee Schultz of Owatonna, Minnesota.

Beverly is survived by her children Steve (Pat) Gavin, Kim Malcom, Tim (Christa) Gavin, Tracey (Rich) Henrickson and son-in-law Jeff Orlebeke. Her grandchildren, Jerrad (Patricia) Orlebeke, Michael (Becky) Orlebeke, Scott (Jacqui) Orlebeke, Jamie (Chrissy) Gavin, Jenny (Adam) Chilson, Steven O’Patka, Caleb Gavin, and Jacob Gavin. Her brother James (Debra) Tostrud, sister-in-law Marge Tostrud. She is further survived by her many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends.

Reunited with her loved ones: husband Ronald Gavin, daughter Pamela Orlebeke, brother Doug Tostrud, parents Milan and Hilda Tostrud, in-laws Violet and Clifford Patterson.

The family is grateful to her care provider and friend, Kim Muehlbauer.

Private family services will be held.