Obituary: Beulah E. Luhr, 88

Beulah Eleanor Luhr passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at her home in Petersburg surrounded by her children.

Beulah was born in Chester, Montana on October 12, 1934, to Robert T. Reid and Vena (Ward) Reid. Her family moved to Petersburg, Alaska in 1939 and she resided there for the last 84 years. Beulah grew up in Scow Bay, graduated from Petersburg High School and married the love of her life, Donald Luhr, on May 31, 1952.

In high school Beulah worked for the telephone company, back in the days when connections were made manually. After raising four children to be somewhat self-sufficient she started working at the Family Shoe Mart in 1964. She later bought into and jointly ran the business which merged with the Fashion Fair, until they sold in the early 1980s. Beulah fished seasonally with Don on the Mrs. Mac and the Carefree out of Sitka and from the mid-1980s until the early 1990s worked as a clerk for Hammer & Wikan, Inc.

Beulah was always involved in community service and volunteer work. She served a term on the City Council in the 1960s and was on the Petersburg Hospital Board, the Salvation Army Board, served as President of the Alaska Cripple Children and was active in the Presbyterian Church. Beulah was President of the local Emblem Club and was involved in the formation of the State Emblem Club Association, serving as president in the early 1990s.

She has always delighted in her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, referring to them as "the entertainment."

She is survived by her four children, Donna Dunaway of Tyler, Texas, Robert (Vicki) Luhr, Mike (Barb) Luhr, and Joyce (Rob) Cummings, all of Petersburg, Alaska; twelve grandchildren, Greg Dunaway, Jason, Shawn, Tristan and Leighnie Luhr, Kyle Skinner, John IV and Sabrina Richmond, Bradee Axmaker, Skyler and Chad Cummings, and Jessica Josey; sixteen great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Dorothy) Reid, Kelly (Jenny) Reid, Dale (Jani) Reid; and sister, Claudia (Brian) Russell; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Donald H. Luhr; granddaughter, Sandra Dunaway; grandson, Justin Luhr; and brother, Leslie Reid.

A joint Memorial Service will be held for Don and Beulah Luhr at the Petersburg Elks Lodge, main floor, on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Petersburg Medical Center Home Health Department or your favorite charity.