Beverly J. Droog

Beverly “B” Joy (Goff) Droog, 89 of La Crosse passed away on Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Gundersen Health System. She was born in Eau Claire, WI to Arba E. and Cecelia M. (Hobbs) Goff on October 1, 1925. She had one older sister, Miriam “Merm”. After graduating from Eau Claire High School, “B” traveled to San Francisco via train. On board she met her future husband, Vernon Droog, a member of the US Navy. In San Francisco “B” worked in the Bethlehem shipyards and Delano defense plant. When Vern shipped out for 16 months “B” traveled to Texas and lived with her sister Merm. After Vern came home, they returned to San Francisco where they were married on February 9, 1945. Like many who served in the military, they spent the next few years traveling, living in Rhode Island, New York and Philadelphia, as well as returning to each of their home states; Wisconsin and Iowa. Vern and “B” made their homes and raised their family in the communities of Eau Claire, Mankato, MN and La Crosse.
“B” was the mother of five sons; Daniel, David (Diane), Mark (Julie), Michael (Patty) and Mathew (Nancy); 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. B’s joys were all of her grand and great-grandchildren, family get-togethers and reading. She truly enjoyed people and talked to all whether she knew them or not. “B” always had a pot of coffee ready for visitors, welcomed one and all with open arms and will be greatly missed by both family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon on April 27, 1988; two sons, David and Daniel Droog, a sister, Merm and a grandson.
A Celebration of B’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 6th at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse. Rev. Dr. J. Taylor Haley will officiate. Private family burial will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Memorials are preferred to the Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org).