Beverly Hudson Obituary
Beverly Hudson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Virginia Jaeger. From the beginning, Beverly had to be resilient. Her mother, who had developed active tuberculosis during pregnancy, was unable to hold or touch her newborn daughter. That was a loss Beverly felt profoundly. For several years of her young life, she could only see her mother once every six months.
During a visit to Washington Island with her parents when she was not quite three, Beverly experienced a turning point. Her mother's cousins gathered her in their arms after church and declared themselves her "aunts". She always said that was the first time she felt surrounded by love. Those women remained important throughout their lives. Beverly particularly delighted in memories of her tween and teen Summers, which were spent in their Island homes.
At age eight, when her mother had to return to the TB sanitarium, Beverly's beloved grandma, Catherine Jacobson, moved to Milwaukee to care for her. Just as when Catherine was raising children herself, their home became a place of warmth and welcome, where friends gathered and joy grew.
After graduating from Pulaski High School, Beverly attended Milwaukee Normal School (Teachers College), receiving training she credited with shaping professional and personal success throughout her life.
She married Jake Ellefson on Washington Island and together they raised three children. Family time included sledding, skating (especially with women friends on school days when she could race and spin as she had in childhood, be it on wheels or blades) cross-country and water skiing, picnicking, boating and endless board games. Beverly's warmth, creativity and understanding of children made her home a favorite gathering place.
A gifted homemaker and tireless creator, Beverly made magic from modest means. Her legendary baking included 16 loaves of bread a week, cakes, pies, bars, brownies, cookies and holiday stollen. She canned jams of every sort, along with pickles, and garden produce. The fruits of her labor also stocked the walk-in mink yard freezer with goods from every food group. One of the challenges and blessings of being a commercial fisherman's wife -- particularly in the lean years -- was making meals centered around whitefish unique and interesting. In retrospect, with the exception of fish tacos which had not yet become known, she did just that! Her table was always full, and her home a haven - immaculate, welcoming, and full of personality.
Beverly had the hands and heart of an artist. Her aesthetic eye and creativity infused everything she made -- from afghans to dinner parties. She and Melodie designed their clothing, using multiple patterns at a time. They also crocheted, embroidered, and painted together. Beverly was a skilled rosemaler, as anyone walking into her home can see. She also worked with oils and pastels in other art forms. In addition, she created enameled jewelry and enjoyed making pottery.
Beverly had a great love for music. She played piano from the time she was five until the final years of her life. She especially cherished her time in the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir on the Island. One of the ways she enjoyed giving back, was inviting new choir members to her home to further familiarize them with upcoming pieces and teach them to read music.
Beverly was a woman of deep faith, sustained by her "little talks with Jesus." In addition to choir, she served as a Sunday School and Bible School teacher from the time she was confirmed, ultimately leading as Sunday School superintendent. She belonged to two of Trinity's 'Circles'. She was also church librarian for decades.
Beverly was active in the community as well. She danced in the Island's Scandinavian Song and Dance Fest for 20 years. She developed the Fest's costume library and maintained it in her home for the first several years. She belonged to the Women's Club and particularly enjoyed reproducing the more complicated Island sites on squares for the group's annual fundraising quilt.
As a consummate hostess, Beverly celebrated everything, holidays (even Valentine's Day), birthdays for young and old, or 'just because' - with tea parties, cocktail parties and elegant dinners. Whether for family, friends, or strangers, Beverly welcomed all with warmth and grace.
Beverly built a successful step-on guide business for Door County and Washington Island. She educated herself thoroughly on the area's history, nature, culture and activities. Her company's reputation for excellence brought up to eight tour buses per day to the area. Beverly orchestrated those groups through the sites, shops and restaurant stops fluidly, without overlapping. She prepared her guides well by creating worksheets from her research and strict timelines to follow, always with a positive, can-do spirit!
To be in Beverly's home was to be immersed in magic and empathy. She anthropomorphized everyday objects to soften the world for children. A fallen brownie became a sad little creature that had just wanted to be eaten. A stubbed toe became the drawer's injury instead. This gentle, imaginative environment gave the children in her life a deep well of love and compassion from which to draw.
Her family would like to thank the many people who enabled Beverly to remain in her home as long as possible. WICHP volunteers set up adaptive equipment. Jim Morris picked up her trash faithfully for many years, accepting only cookies in payment. Snow never lay in her driveway for long. Her window boxes bloomed and the 10+ acre yard was kept mowed and trimmed, just as she had loved doing it herself. Robyn and Dr. Lux helped in myriad ways Pastor Ed Baseman visited regularly. Family, friends & neighbors stopped often. It was a particular treat when Dan Hansen and the whole Trinity choir performed in her living room!
When Beverly required round-the-clock assistance, a team of dedicated caregivers, expertly organized by Brenda Cornell, were there to provide it. In addition to Brenda, they included Julie Anderson, Billie Love, Melanie Miller and Susan Wacaser. Had it not been for the extraordinary Island community, she could not have enjoyed her final time at home.
Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Virginia; her husband, Paul Hudson; and many dear family members and friends.
She is survived by her children: Melodie Ellefson, Jacob (Carin) Ellefson, and Don Ellefson. Her 12 cherished grandchildren will forever delight in memories of their Nonna - not least of which will be the amazing boxes of her baked goods (including 3-layer cakes with frosting, all ready for assembly) which faithfully arrived in the mail for Christmas and every birthday.
Beverly is also mourned by loving nieces and nephews, as well as dear friends and extended family members who will miss her kindness, creativity and loving spirit.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., October 18, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church - Washington Island, with Rev. Edward Baseman officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Continued fellowship will commence after Beverly's services in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Beverly's name to Trinity Lutheran Church on Washington Island
Casperson Funeral Home of Sister Bay is assisting Beverly's family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Beverly may be shared with family through her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
