Beverly Bothwell

Beverly “Bev” Jean Bothwell, 95, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Beverly Jean Post was born on September 30, 1930, in Bellaire, Kansas. She was the third child of John and Lorraine Shields Post. Her father was the Bellaire postmaster and barber. She grew up with her three siblings, Jack, Helen and Jim, and cousin, Bill, during the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl years and World War II. After graduating from Lebanon High School in 1948, she found work in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Bev met Richard Dawson Simpson in Colorado Springs in 1952. They were married that same year in Raton Pass, New Mexico. After the death of Richard in 1956, she moved back to Lebanon with their two young sons, Bob and John. In 1959, Bev met another widower, Gary Mitchell Bothwell, who also had a four-year old son, Greg. The two widowers married in Belleville and combined their families. Their daughter, Tammy, soon followed to join the three boys. Gary and Bev were married for over 60 years. They lived in Topeka, beginning in 1964 where their home was the place to be for so many happy gatherings of family and friends. After her children were a little older, Bev worked at J. Benson Department Store and later, Sally’s Dress Shop in Topeka. Bev had a sense of style but was also very down to earth. This combination made her very successful at selling women’s clothing and life in general. Bev enjoyed cooking, gardening, sewing, decorating, sports, and taking care of her extended family, most of all. No family member or friend went without advice or comforting. She was a great cook who was especially known for her homemade noodles, Christmas cookies and desserts. She sewed precious school outfits for her daughter which were the talk of the teachers’ lounge. Her gardens were full of beautiful flowers and vegetables. Bev loved attending KSU Wildcats and KC Chiefs football games and hosting fun tailgates. She also enjoyed playing cards with a dear circle of lady friends for many years. Beverly was proud to be a member of the Sarah Steward Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 30 years. Her ancestors were among the first to homestead in Smith County, Kansas, in the 1870s. We are forever grateful for the way Bev touched all of our lives with her generosity, kindness, humor and resilience. Beverly is survived by her children, Bob Simpson (Sandy) and Tammy Dishman (Jeff); daughter-in-law, Karen Bothwell; sister, Helen Fielder; grandsons, Gray Bothwell (Kristin) and Caleb Dishman (Linda); great-grandsons, Liam Bothwell and Jace Dishman; and many treasured cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary M. Bothwell, sons, John Simpson and Greg Bothwell, her first husband, Richard D. Simpson, and her brothers, Jack Post (Ramona) and Jim Post (Helen Jean). A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Beverly Bothwell

September 30, 1930 - August 15, 2026