Beverly Joan Locke, 89, of Rapid City, died Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Clarkson Health Care.

She was born on October 15, 1928, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter Ralph Waldo, Sr., and Mable Belle (Jones) Emerson. Bev grew up in Topeka and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1946. She then attended the University of Kansas and graduated in 1950 with a BA in Bacteriology. She interned at St. Francis Hospital as a medical technologist. After her internship, she worked in a laboratory she actually established for a group of doctors in Topeka.

Although Bev met George Locke when she was only 5 or 6 years old, they didn't tie the knot until September 2, 1951, in Topeka, KS. And that date happened only because Bev managed to intercept George's orders to report for service (the Korean war had begun), giving herself time to mail the wedding invitations. To this union three children were born: Corby Joan, Clay Ashley, and Scot David. In October of 1959, the family moved to Rapid City where she turned her attention full-time to raising children (although she was definitely not a helicopter parent), volunteering at their schools, getting everyone to sports activities, etc.

Bev loved music (both singing and playing the piano) and playing bridge. She very much enjoyed volunteering in the community, especially at Rapid City Regional Hospital, where she started the car seat rental program for newborns in 1983. For her work, she received the Volunteer of the Year award in 1983 from the State of South Dakota She was a member of the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Society, Board of RCRH Auxiliary, AAUW, and PEO Chapter AU.

Survivors include a daughter, Corby Locke (Gary Shaffer) of Coeur d' Alene, ID; two sons, Clay Locke, of Rapid City and Scot (Patricia) Locke, of Englewood, CO; four grandchildren, Ashley Locke (Eric Lee), Christopher (Janelle) Locke, Grant Shaffer and Cole Shaffer; and a great granddaughter, Ingrid Emerson Locke Lee.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George on February 18, 2016; and both of her brothers, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jr. and Richard Emerson.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services, which will be at 11:30 am on Friday, June 15, at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Greg Kroger officiating. A reception will follow the service. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery at 2:30.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Children's Home Society of South Dakota at www.chssd.org or a check can be sent to Children's Home Society at 1330 Jolly Lane, Rapid City, SD 57703.