Beverly Mensink

Beverly Mensink, age 94, of Harmony, Minn., passed away on October 30, 2025, surrounded by her family at the Gundersen Harmony Care Center, where she had been a resident since 2020. 

Beverly Jean Mensink was born west of Rochester, Minn., in Salem Township on September 28, 1931. She was the daughter of Elmer and Wilma (Brekke) Kunerth.  Wilma passed away when Bev was a young toddler.  Bev and her brother Clifford where raised by their grandparents in Rochester.  She graduated from high school in Rochester. One of her first jobs was working with her grandfather at the Weber and Judd Drug Store, where she ran the soda fountain.  

While attending a dance at the Pla-mor Ballroom she met the love of her life.  On March 22, 1953, she married John Mensink at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. To this union, four sons were born. The couple moved to a farm west of Harmony to raise their boys.  Bev adapted to life on the farm and enjoyed being a farm wife.  

Bev was an active member of the Root River Church of the Brethren in rural Preston and participated in the ladies group activities.  She found great joy in working at the DAC and helping the residents grow in their daily lives. Bev enjoyed playing cards, especially 500, Rummy and Kings Corner.  In her later years, she spent time putting together jigsaw puzzles and working on crossword puzzle books.  She loved cats, especially “Tuffy”, who was able to sneak into the house if Bev held the door open, just long enough. 

But most of all, what made Bev the happiest was spending time with her family.  She loved having the grandchildren on overnight visits and celebrating holidays together.  

Survivors include her four sons: Rick (Sarah) Mensink, Jay (Lynn) Mensink, Lance (Patty) Mensink and Mark (Sandy) Mensink; 10 grandchildren: Jason (Dawn) Mensink, Kari (Chris) Mensink, Megan (Branden) O’Connor, Leah (Isaac Kruse) Knoke, J.J. (Toni) Mensink, Brenda (Brent) Afseth, Becky (Joel) Voca, Stacy Mensink, Cory (Mary) Mensink and April (Jon) Everson; 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, siblings Sharon, Hale and Vicki; brother in-law Curt (Trudy) Mensink and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, teenage brother Clifford, husband Johnny in 2017, siblings and brothers- and sisters-in-law: Ardis (Emil) Souhrada, Kenny (Evelyn) Mensink, Arlyn (Dolly) Mensink, Deloris (Newt) Nagel and Carol Lou Mensink. 

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Harmony, with visitation one hour prior to services.  Burial will take place at Prairie Queen Cemetery in rural Preston, Minn.  Schmelzer Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.