Dr. Beverly E. Rogers

Beverly Elaine (Holman) Rogers, age 71, of Manhattan, KS, died February 28, 2026, at Good Shepherd Hospice House. After a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, we celebrate – she is now free from suffering and in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bev was born November 13, 1954, in Winfield, KS, the eldest child of Ben and Maxine (Halling) Holman.

Bev's love of music began early, as she was a talented piano player as well as a gifted violinist, proudly playing her grandfather's converted fiddle. She was also involved in Cowley County 4-H and loved to play softball in the summer. Bev graduated from Winfield High School then received her B.S. (1976) and M.S. (1977) degrees in Early Childhood Development and FACS from Kansas State University. While studying at KSU, she lived in Smurthwaite Scholarship House and was active in many organizations and activities, such as Home Economics Council. She was recognized for her academic achievements from professional honorary societies including Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Upsilon Omicron. Bev remained involved with the Smurthwaite Alumni Association and served as Alumni President. She proudly received a special recognition in 2024 for her years of service.

She was united in marriage to Danny H. Rogers on July 9, 1977. They moved to Colby, KS, where Dan started his career with K-State and Bev became the Colby Middle School counselor. Bev completed a second M.S. degree from Fort Hays State University to fulfill the job requirements for the school counselor position. They welcomed their daughter, Ashleigh, in 1984. In 1986, they moved to Stillwater, OK, to work on their PhD's at Oklahoma State University, allowing Bev to achieve her career goal of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist.

In 1989, Dan and Bev returned to Manhattan, KS, where Bev began practicing as a marriage and family therapist. She also taught a variety of courses at Manhattan Christian College for 10 years. In 1991, they had Jared, their second child. A highlight of her career was serving as a member of the EOD Warriors organization, a group focused on conducting retreats to provide intensive counseling support for Gold Star military families throughout the US.

Bev loved cooking, especially baking; something she was quick to do for others. At Christmas time, she was known for distributing hundreds of gallons of her famous hot fudge sauce to neighbors, coworkers, and friends. This was an undertaking that required the whole family. She also claimed the role as family photographer but rarely was captured in pictures with them. Whether film or digital, the photos often came out blurry which greatly bothered her, a perfectionist at heart. Family frequently had to hide their smiles and chuckles when looking at photos together. She was a fierce competitor and strategist at the game table, often complaining about bad luck or poor cards, despite winning. While Bev's favorite color was blue, she bled K-State purple as she faithfully cheered on the Wildcats, as a long-standing football and basketball season ticket holder. She enjoyed traveling to many football bowl games with family.

Bev was actively engaged in church throughout her lifetime. She was involved with the Baptist Student Union at K-State, served as a youth trip sponsor for Countryside Christian Church (Dan's home church in Topeka, KS), founded the Colby Youth Group (Colby, KS), and taught youth Sunday School at University Christian Church (Manhattan, KS). She routinely played piano for traditional services and for special services played violin with the orchestra.

While Bev was very career driven, she made it a priority to attend her kids' activities. She seldom missed a game (volleyball, football, soccer), track meet, band or choir performance, dance recital, or countless 4-H activities (probably where the term "soccer" mom originated). She modeled leadership by serving as a 4-H project leader for the sewing and cooking projects, a Gavel Games coach, and was the community club leader. During Ashleigh's college throwing career, Bev traveled to many Kansas State Track & Field meets. She was the "Manhattan Mom" for the KSU throwers, hauling their implements home from away meets and hosting numerous "lasagna meals". She enjoyed preparing many pans of lasagna, several dozen of her homemade rolls, and of course, topped off the meal with homemade hot fudge brownie sundaes.

The title of Grandma was one of the most cherished roles Bev gained in her life. She never missed an opportunity to go to the park or zoo, while singing the "We're Going The Zoo" song. She wore out her library card by checking out stacks of books to read to the grandkids. She loved to play boardgames, card games (particularly War), or hide-and-seek. She stretched her limited technology skills to challenge the kids with 7-second riddles on YouTube. Bev always had her purse full of spare change for smashed pennies, quarter machine rides, or restaurant candy dispensers. She prioritized any chance to attend grandkid adventures or events and most often had special treats or gifts at the ready.

Survivors include her husband, Danny H. Rogers of the home; sister, Kathy (Justin) Waite of Winfield, KS; sister-in-law, Diane Holman of Columbus, KS; daughter, Ashleigh (Dustin) Mengarelli of Topeka, KS; son, Jared (Allie) Rogers of Manhattan, KS; four grandchildren: Cooper Mengarelli, Keaton Mengarelli, Myles Rogers, and Mara Rogers; five Holman family nieces and nephews; and six grandnieces. Mother-in-law: Marcella Rogers of Topeka, KS, and seven sets of brother and sisters-in-law from the Rogers family; twenty-three nieces and nephews, and forty-one grand nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her brother, Mike Holman, and her father-in-law, K.L. Rogers.

A visitation will be held March 13, 2026, from 5-7pm in the "Garage" meeting room of University Christian Church auditorium building, 2800 Claflin Avenue, Manhattan, KS.

A memorial service will be held on March 14, 2026, at 3pm at University Christian Church in the chapel, with Pastor Jack Sweany officiating, internment will follow at a later date in Buster Cemetery near Perry, KS.

Memorial contributions may be made to Manhattan Christian College, Smuthwaite Alumni Association, or the Alzheimer's Association. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS, 66502. www.ymlfuneralhome.com.