Beverly Jane (Kallio) Kmett, 82, died peacefully at her Lake Vermilion home on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, surrounded by her loving family.

Beverly was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Chisholm, MN, to parents Anton "Tony" Kallio and Ellen (Paavola) Kallio. She was soon joined by brothers Richard "Dick" and Darrell. She lived on the Kallio dairy farm until her parents moved to Linden Grove, MN, to own and operate the local IGA Foodliner.

Beverly attended the Cook High School, graduating in 1955 as class valedictorian. At her father's insistence to pursue a higher education, she attended St. Luke's Nursing School in Duluth, MN. She graduated from the rigorous 36-month program as a registered nurse.

Beverly did practical training at Moose Lake State Hospital, and then applied her intelligence, work ethic and attention to detail in positions at the U.S. Army Hospital in Nuremburg, Germany, the Cook Hospital, the Virginia Hospital, the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Mercy Hospital in Fridley and finally 25 years at Shriners Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, where she was the head surgical nurse.

Beverly started a lifelong romance with Ronald James Kmett at the Nieters' wedding dance at the Linden Grove Town Hall while home from her studies at nursing school. They were united in marriage on Nov. 28, 1959; the start of a 60-year adventure. Together, they raised two children, Michael (Jodi) Kmett of St. Peter, MN, and Christine (Tim) Lacasse of Stacey, MN.

Beverly and Ron entertained a bewildering number of friends and relatives at their homes in Minneapolis, Spring Lake Park, New Brighton, White Bear Lake and, most of all, at the Kallio cabin on Lake Vermilion, which was replaced by a beautiful home where the couple resided in a vibrant retirement since 1997. That is, when they weren't spending the winters in Manzinillo, Mexico, for 34 years.

Beverly quietly went about her business and accumulated many personal accomplishments in her lifetime. She was the mother of two, and proud "Aïti" to five grandchildren; Mick and Tori Kmett, and Tyler, Jarett and Coty Ross. She was also particularly attached to her nieces and nephew; Karleen, Beth Ann, Renee, Margo and Beau.

Beverly was an avid reader, boater, birder, horticulturist, cook and swimmer. In fact, she made it a practice to swim 1,200 strokes a day in the ocean while in Mexico. Her retirement was confirmed by using her nurse's shoes as flower planters. She was a volunteer in community activities such as the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop and Cook All-Class Reunion Scholarship committee.

Beverly was a Finn. She embraced her Finnish heritage with a passion. Finnish was her first language, and she was fluent in English as well. She served on the board of directors of Salolampi, the Finnish Language Village in Bemidji, was active in the Knights and Ladies of Kaleva in Virginia, visited relatives in Finland three times, attended many Finnfests, helped organize frequent suomen serkut reunions and mastered Finnish foods such as piirrakka and kropsua.

Beverly was preceded in death by her father Tony, mother Ellen, brother Darrell and sister-in-law Sharon (Flank). She is survived by husband Ronald, brother Dick, sisters-in-law Arlene and Teri, son Michael, daughter-in-law Jodi, daughter Christine, son-in-law Tim, grandchildren Mick, Tori, Tyler, Jarett and Coty, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a legion of friends.

Hometown Focus (Virginia, MN) - Thursday, May 21, 2020

Contributor: JudyH (47396333)