Beverly June Saftig, longtime Kenosha resident and former “first lady” of Kenosha, passed away March 27 at the age of 94 in Lisle, Illinois. Born on June 1, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Nora (Doutre) Dyberg and sister of the late Col. Robert Dyberg. Bev’s childhood was spent in the Roosevelt School neighborhood surrounded by the love of many nearby aunts, uncles, and cousins of Swedish and French-Canadian descent. She graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1946, and soon after met the love of her life, recent WWII Navy veteran, Paul W. Saftig, son of Paul M. and Nellie (McManus) Saftig. On November 20, 1948, they married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Bev had four children in the 1950s and managed a very active household from the Saftig’s longtime home on 40th Avenue in the Forest Park/St. Mary’s neighborhood. She worked part time at Sears and Montgomery Ward and later enjoyed her fulltime job as receptionist at the American State Bank. She actively supported Paul’s political career from 1968 to 1988 when he served as constable, alderman, and Mayor of Kenosha. Bev participated in hundreds of community events and activities over the years and loved her unofficial role as a Kenosha ambassador. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s, and later, St. James Catholic Church. Bev and Paul enjoyed a productive and happy retirement, splitting time between their homes in Mauston, WI, on Castle Rock Lake and Punta Gorda, FL. Paul preceded her in death in May 2010. In recent years, Bev lived near her son Tom and daughter-in-law Mary in Lisle, IL. While Bev cherished her many friends over the years, she was extremely proud of her family. Each member continues as her legacy. She is survived by three sons and one daughter, Tom (Mary) Saftig of Lisle, IL, Sandy (Tom) Rugg of Henderson, KY, Bob (Joyce) Saftig of Kenosha, and Dan (Leslie) Saftig of Scottsdale, AZ; nine grandchildren, Bob Saftig Jr., Brian (Nikki) Saftig, Carrie (David) Elliott, Becky (Darrin) Reed, Paul Saftig (Allison), Joe (Kim) Saftig, Nellie Saftig, Jacob Saftig and Andy Saftig; fifteen great-grandchildren, Kaylee (JT) DeMar, Kyle and Koby Reed, Katy, Ally, Sam and Dylan Elliott and Olivia and Declan Saftig, Ella, Lucy, and Sam Saftig, Grace, Luke, and Molly Saftig; two great, great grandchildren Easton Capps and Bentley Reed with a third great, great grandchild soon be born to great granddaughter Kaylee DeMar. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 7300 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI, 53142, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Bev’s honor to St. Croix Hospice, 665 W North Ave Suite 100, Lombard IL 60148. Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Beverly’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Stan Parsons
April 10, 2023
I met Bev and Paul at Castle Rock Lake in about 1999 due to the fact that their son Tom and I worked together. I remember many special cocktail hours down by the lake with them and all their Castle Rock friends, many of whom knew them from their days in Kenosha. We had the pleasure of keeping in touch with them over the years both at the lake and stopping to see them in Punta Gorda when we went on our annual spring vacation. Always a very nice and intelligent woman, Bev could carry on a conversation with anyone about almost anything and as I have gotten to know the rest of the family over the years realize what a great job she and Paul did raising them. My condolences to the entire family.
John Frost
April 3, 2023
Dear Bob, Joyce and family -My deepest condolences on the passing of your mother, Beverly.I loved the "First Lady of Kenosha" designation. It was very fitting.Your mom was a wonderful woman to have raised a son like you, Bob. Her qualities will live on throughout many generations.May God keep you all close during these trying times.All my best ... John
Jill Bolyard
April 1, 2023
She was a part of my younger years. The mom of my dearest brother-in- law and grandmother to two of my most loved people. We had some wonderful chats. I hope that heaven has reconnected her with my parents and those she cherished most.