Beverly Griffin Kidman Donohoo

Beverly Griffin Kidman Donohoo returned to her Heavenly Father on November 3, 2022 at the age of 89 at her home in Logan, Utah. She will be greatly missed by her friends and family.

Beverly was born March 30, 1933 in Newton, Utah to Harold Jenkins Griffin and Ruth Poppleton Williamson. As a child she had rheumatic fever along with St. Vitus Dance. She was extremely ill and bedridden for a long time. Ever after, she felt a continuous need to be doing something. She was active in 4H both as a child and as an adult leader. Beverly became a talented seamstress, sewing most of her own dresses for school. She continued to sew throughout her life, sewing clothes for herself, her children and grandchildren, including elaborate square dance outfits. She became involved in family history and genealogy working with her father and her uncle Halvey Griffin. At the time of her death, she had been a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers longer than any other member of her local group, 73 years.
She loved preparing names for receiving ordinances. She spent many hours in the temple and tried to visit the temple in any area she happened to be visiting.

At the age of 16, after going together for a year, on Monday morning August 22, 1949, Beverly decided to elope with Ronald Lee Kidman to Pocatello, Idaho. Borrowing Ron’s dad’s car while he was on a fishing trip, Ron and Beverly told Beverly’s parents they were going to “run away to get married” and they could come along if they came right then. Ruth stopped in the middle of her laundry and Harold came home from his work at the elevator to ride along to Pocotello, to witness the wedding, and to take them out for dinner afterwards.

Beverly and Ron started their family and had four boys and two girls and two additional still born sons. They built their first house in Mendon just one block west and south of Ron’s parents. Later, where they lived followed Ron’s job. They lived in a trailer house in Salt Lake City, then in Roy, then in Slaterville. They built their second house in Slaterville on a 20 acre lot. On this small farm, they raised children, horses, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits and sheep at various times

Beverly was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Logan, UT temple. She served the Lord as called. Some of the callings included Beehive instructor in MIA, serving as Junior Sunday School Coordinator, serving in the M.I.A. presidency and as a scout leader in Primary. She thoroughly enjoyed serving in the Independence, Missouri mission from 1994-95.

Beverly and Ron married before Beverly completed high school, a fact that she regretted. So, she returned to school through the Weber County Adult Education program and completed her degree, graduating in 1962 from Bonneville High School in Weber County, Utah. Beverly continued her education at Weber State University, at times attending classes with her children. She took classes in botany and geography. She applied her geography to get a job with the Navy at the Clearfield Freeport Center doing cartography. She applied her skills in botany to create a beautiful flower garden in Slaterville.

Beverly’s working careers included real estate management, business custodian, grocery cashier, cartographer, and office general manager.

In 1977 Ron’s job brought them back to Cache Valley and they moved back to Mendon. Ron had inherited his dad’s house and they lived there while planning and building their childhood dream house which was built on an outcrop of rock left by glaciers, north of Mendon. Beverly used her knowledge of botany to cause the house to appear as if a garden of wildflowers naturally found their place all over the large boulders which were just outside the front door in view of a long road lined by former Christmas trees which wound down to the highway leading into Mendon.

Beverly and Ron’s family grew as their children married and had children. They traveled all around the country in their RV visiting children and grandchildren, stopping to visit historical sites and to square dance with local square dancers. They enjoyed RVing with the Rolling Phones and Good Sam’s Clubs. They made it a point to attend even their far-flung grandchildren’s baby blessings, baptisms, and graduations, sometimes traveling thousands of miles.

Beverly’s grandchildren have vivid memories of playing cards and dice with Grandma. She was a quick thinker with whom they loved to compete. Her contagious laugh was distinctive, and she brought joy and excitement for life with her. Yet, she had a serious side and treated her children and grandchildren with respect and taught them to be obedient and to work hard. She enjoyed cooking with her grandchildren. They remember her stirring her fudge until it was extremely creamy and showing them how. They also recall camping and sitting around campfires with her roasting marshmallows. Beverly loved to read and shared that love with carefully procured books that she often gave as gifts. Beverly had almost always read them beforehand, so that she could recommend them. Beverly showed so many people that she loved them, by the time she spent with each person. These parts of her personality are a valuable legacy to her family still.

Ron and Beverly were always loving and accepting of others, they invited students on the Indian Student Placement program into their home. Beverly became involved with the American Foreign Exchange Service, and invited foreign exchange students into their home as well as sending her daughter Paula to Norway. When Randy went on his mission, she invited a young couple from his mission to stay with them, while they were going to the Temple. Ron and Beverly went to the Temple with them, where they stood in proxy for the couple’s parents. She would send care packages with homemade fudge and cookies to be shared with others. She took a personal interest in each mission companion, writing them letters and even visiting their families if possible. In one case, Beverly drove to Provo to visit with the widowed mother of Elder Steve Soffe. A few months later Elder Soffe’s mother passed away and Beverly decided she would informally adopt him. She wrote to him throughout his mission. After his mission, while attending BYU, Steve met and fell in love with April Yost. As it happened, April was also an orphan having lost both of her parents, she was raised by her older sister. Beverly informally adopted her too. When Steve and April were sealed, Ron and Beverly stood proxy for their parents. Steve and April became a part of the Kidman family and still are!

In 1980 Ron and Beverly purchased Kowallis Hardware on Main Street in Logan. As Ron was still working full time for the telephone company, Beverly and son Randy operated the hardware store. Though neither of them had much experience, Beverly, after receiving some training from her son in law, kept the books, handling accounts payable, accounts receivables, general ledger, and payrolls, while her son managed daily sales, inventories and small engine repairs. The business was successful and grew until in January of 1988 a fire broke out in their small engine repair shop. The fire destroyed nearly all tools, equipment and parts. It was determined that the fire was caused by the negligence of an employee and the insurance only covered partial loss. This loss ended up being the undoing of the business.

Ron’s life was sadly cut short in 1990 at the age of 59. Beverly was devastated and found widowhood to be a trial. She continued to travel and to square dance visiting 43 of the 50 United States as well as Russia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Greece, Israel, Egypt, New Zealand, and Australia. Along with her square dancing and travel, she was an avid reader and a collector. She collected decorative plates, photos, movies, spoons and thimbles.

While continuing to enjoy square dancing with the swinging singles square dance club, Beverly met Harold Neil Donohoo, and taught him how to square dance. Beverly married Neil on August 7, 2000 and they continued to enjoy life together, living in Tremonton, Utah. Beverly and Neil were a fun couple to be with, visiting family and sharing smiles, laughter and love until Neil’s passing on July 25, 2010.

In 2012 Beverly moved to Logan where she would share her house with her daughter Penny, who was attending USU. After her health declined, Beverly had to rely more on the help of others, especially Penny, who the family would like to thank for faithfully providing much of Beverly’s day to day care.

Beverly was always full of life. She enjoyed fresh food. She loved to call friends and family just to visit or to write a note or letter to a friend or to celebrate family milestones. Many family members have kept her handwritten notes and cards. Families have always been important to Beverly. Family reunions were one of her favorite activities.

Beverly is survived by 5 of her 8 children, Randy H. Kidman (Linda), Gene E. Kidman (Kristine), Tracy L. Kidman (Theresa-deceased), Paula Burton (Richard), and Penny Kidman, 25 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Harold Jay Griffin (Jan-deceased), NaDene Archibald (DeLoy-deceased), Margaret Wilkinson (Jim-deceased), Kent L. Griffin (Patricia-deceased), and Faye Brown (Troy). She was preceded in death by her parents; both of her loving husbands; her eldest son, Kelly; and three grandchildren, Arthur Kidman, Kimberly Dollarhide, and Marissa Burton.

Funeral services will take place Thursday November 10 at 11:00am at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 E 400 N Logan, Utah with a viewing prior form 9:30-10:30am. Final interment will take place at the Mendon City Cemetery.