Beverly J. Stegmann

Beverly Jane Stegmann, "The Smiling Bus Driver" was called back to the depot on 11-10-2025 at the age of 92 after a short illness. Beverly was born in Shawano to Anton Kohlbeck and Elizabeth Stoehr. She grew up In Manitowoc during the Great Depression with her 6 brothers. You can see her house still standing, you'd have to drive into the Van's Bar back parking lot, it's just over the fence, so small you'd think it was a shed. Her and her mother slept in the same bed downstairs, and the boys all shared double beds upstairs which covered the entire second floor. When we'd drive by on our way to church her face lit up and she'd smile with the thrill of seeing her old house again. She loved her family.
She qualified as a 'baby nurse' after attending The Cradle in Chicago in 1952. She enjoyed a career at Holy Family Hospital until having babies of her own. When her grandchildren were born she insisted on giving them their first bath at home. One of them was born 10 days late and during the bath, unleashed all 10 day's worth of her digestive tract, it was the first time I saw mom come out of the steamy warm bathroom a bit frazzled and very messy, but she was beaming with love for that grandchild. She loved babies.
She was honored to be crowned AMVETs Queen 1951. She wed Robert L Stegmann in 1953. A Navy man, they moved to Charleston, South Carolina for his time in the service before returning to Manitowoc, WI. She loved dad.
After raising 4 children she began driving school bus and then city bus. She once picked up a very ill passenger and deviated from her route to bring him directly to the hospital, saving time and saving a life! The friends she made driving bus were priceless. She loved her job.
A faithful woman, Bev taught Sunday school for 25 years while her children were in classes and enjoyed decorating the classroom, putting on Christmas plays, and so many church dinners! We were always dressed up in our Sunday best and tippy tapped down the Sunday school hallway with our shiny shoes, we have faith because of the steadfast faith of our mother. Having her son, Father Bob Stegmann, become a priest filled her with pride. She loved Jesus.
Mom was a creative cook, she had to be, because dad was an avid outdoorsman and he brought home rabbit, pheasant, deer, quail, grouse, you name it. When Ken went raccoon hunting for the pelts, she cooked the raccoons too, but she didn't enjoy those, way too fatty, and I'm so glad she never cooked the muskrats! The Silver Creek 4-H club met at our house and she taught cooking classes, plus every Saturday she would make raised dough for sweet rolls, pecan rolls, coffee cakes, whole wheat bread. The house smelled heavenly, and we ate the absolute best, blue ribbon winning bakery. She loved to bake.
She has said she regrets not knowing her father, but with 6 brothers and a very strong mom, she didn't lack for people watching over her. She lost her brother Ken in the Korean War and Victor in the Viet Nam War. She is more patriotic than anyone I know, she sees a flag and her eyes well up, especially since her son Ken was born on July 4th and her Grandson Josh on Flag Day. When one loses a brother in military combat, you have to believe it was for a good cause, for the great USA, and her brothers' blood shed for this country made it the most valuable place on Earth. She loved her country.
Over the years, mom's memory faded. She remembered the things and the people that went way back. She recently attended her grandson's wedding and was thrilled to be able to see so many of her family, because family is what really warmed her heart. I'd show her photos of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and she would say "oh my, what a little sweetheart" with so much love you'd think she was holding them herself. She loved each and every one of them with a fierceness and a joy all combined into that beaming smile that lights up a room. She loved her family.
Beverly is survived by her daughter in law Stacey (Kenneth) Stegmann, Raceland, LA, and son Fr Robert Stegmann, Combined Locks, and daughters Vickie (Paul) Hurda Manitowoc, and Joan (Andrew) Shavlik Manitowoc. 11 Grandchildren Nick (Nessa) Skrepenski, Sun Prairie, Ken Skrepenski, DeForest, Teresa (Omid) Kalantar, San Diego, CA, Kelly Skrepenski, McFarland, Dalton (Jena) Hurda, Two Rivers, Hannah (Jade) LeCompte, Raceland, LA, Jessiah Stegmann, Raceland, LA, Adam (Dayna) Shavlik, Manitowoc, Vy Shavlik and Hunter Anderson, Manitowoc, Joshua (Lexie) Shavlik, St Louis, MO, and Jordan Shavlik, Manitowoc. 9 Great grandchildren Emily and Molly Skrepenski, Sun Prairie, Gracelyn and Amelia Skrepenski DeForest, Ruby Julian, McFarland, Noelle and Magnolia LeCompte, Raceland, LA, and Brooks and Nelson Shavlik, Manitowoc. She is also survived by her brother Gerald (Aundra) Kohlbeck of Sheboygan, WI along with nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by brothers Norbert and Harriet Kohlbeck, Clarence and Bernice Kohlbeck, Victor and Olga Kohlbeck, Kenneth Kohlbeck, and Donald and Marlene Christensen.
The care and loving kindness of all of the staff of Shady Lane is greatly appreciated. They are what made her home a "home". With her memory loss, she would not recall the names of her caretakers, but I do. I saw the love they put into their job, and the joy it brought mom. I saw the tears on the night she passed. We'd also like to thank the staff of Froedtert Holy Family Memorial for their step above in caring during her visit to ER and thoughtfulness and extra gentle car.
Written by Joan (Joni) Shavlik on behalf of Beverly's children.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Lakeshore United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Cherie Forret with entombment to take place at Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum at a later date.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at 11:30.
The Jens Family Funeral Home is assisting the Stegmann family with funeral arrangements.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Beverly J. (Kohlbeck) Stegmann, please visit our floral store.