Beverly Klein, who had a 32-year career with The (Milwaukee) Journal Company, died on Sept. 29, at the age of 95.
Born on July 16, 1927, in Wisconsin, to Frank and Evelyn Bolger, Klein began her advertising career as a part-time classified ad taker in 1961. She retired in 1993 as senior vice president of marketing, after rising through the ranks at a time when it was rare for women to have careers at all, let alone be executives, writes Genevieve Redsten of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
She raised five children while launching her professional career.
Known for her management and mentoring skills and her professionalism, Klein became a national figure in newspaper advertising, circulation and marketing. She served as president of the Association of Newspaper Classified Advertising Managers and was the first female president of the International Newspaper and Marketing Executives. She also served on the board of governors of the Newspaper Association of America.
She was also active in the community, serving on the boards of the UW-Milwaukee Foundation, the Visiting Nurses Association and the Milwaukee Symphony League. Upon her retirement, she continued volunteer work with the symphony, Elmbrook Hospital and the Christ Child Society.