Beverly C Norelius of Rice Lake died on September 3, 2025, at Cambridge Senior Living following a long illness. She is preceded in death by her parents, James R. and Berniece L. (nee Wilson) White and her former husband and best friend, Irvin Norelius.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, from St Joseph Catholic Church in Rice Lake with a private inurnment at St Joseph’s Cemetery. Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, Wisconsin is serving and assisting the family with the arrangements. On July 21,1943, Beverly was born in Detroit, MI. She was raised and educated in the Detroit area. She was multi-talented and possessed a comprehensive vocational background. She graduated from Mt Scenario College in Ladysmith, WI, with a BS in Education and moved to Rice Lake in 1970. In June 1972, she graduated from WITC with an Associate Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design.

Beverly worked for Cooper Engineering, Fox Valley Engineering, and Technigraphics, Inc, all in Rice Lake. She owned and operated her own craft business, “Stitchin’s and Things”, from 1984 to 1988, as well as a small quilting endeavor, “Quiltingly Yours”, from 2007 to 2010. She was an avid craftsperson and outdoorswoman. Her many hobbies included drawing, handiwork, creative writing, sports, hunting, and raising horses. She was a poet at heart who loved the peacefulness of country living. God spoke to her through the simplicity of nature. Many of her unpublished journals and poems reflect her excellent writing skills in expressing her love for God and his people, especially the handicapped. She was very involved in mental health advocacy throughout Barron County during her lifetime. She was the founder, past president, and board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Barron County, an affiliate of both the State and National Organization on mental illness. Her dedication to this work was endless. It carried her into many complex and challenging circumstances, to which she was always motivated to “keep on trucking” with love and dedication. “Cope with Hope” and “Pass It On” were her mottoes. Along with the late Lanny Quinn, she received recognition for her work at a Reception held at Lakeview Medical Center on May 11, 2017.

Beverly also served on the Long-term Care Committee for Barron County for many years, representing the needs of the Mentally Ill of Barron County until its termination in the early 2000s. In 2011, she became a board member for the Center of Independent Living for Western Wisconsin (CILWW), where she served for two years advocating for the independence of the disabled individuals living in Barron County. She was a member of the CCW of St Joseph Church and joyfully helped with Sacristy duties, especially after Funeral Masses and the 10:30am Sunday Masses. On March 21, 2011, Beverly made her Perpetual Promise to the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary (OSSM). Her spirituality was shown in her private retreats to the Mt Carmel Hermitage in Amery until her health limited her. Mt Carmel was very dear to her, and she always looked forward to those times of renewal. Her life was spirit-led, and she desired that her life be a celebration of joy, not of mourning. She leaves a legacy behind her and will be missed by many. Surviving are her sisters, Marjorie White, SSJ-TOSF of Cleveland, OH and Carolyn White of Detroit, MI along with her many loyal friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Joseph Church and St Joseph School. .

Last Update: Sep 09, 2025 9:08 am CDT