Woman celebrates 70 years of playing the organ for her church

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV/Gray News) - A woman in Iowa recently celebrated a milestone decades in the making.

Organist Beverly Roarson began playing the organ at 15 years old and went on to play it at Skien Lutheran Church for 70 years.

“Music is very important to me. I started out on the piano, and piano was really my first love, but when the church got the organ, then I took a few organ lessons,” she said. “The organist at that time asked me, ‘If I take five of the lessons, would you like to take five of the lessons?’ And I said ‘Yes, I would.’ Then my parents gave me ten more lessons. So that’s how I learned the touch, and that’s how it all began.”

On Sunday morning, Roarson played during the church’s Mother’s Day service.

“It’s something that you can learn, but it takes practice,” she said. “That’s what my whole career in music has been: that I love to practice. And it’s not that I’m a trained musician by any means, but I love to practice.”

Many mothers across Siouxland spent their Sunday morning in church, but it was an extra special day for Roarson, as it marked her 70th year playing organ for the church.

“I can’t believe that it’s been 70 years,” Roarson said. “God has blessed me and He’s given me the gift of music. I plan on doing it as long as He gives me the health to do it.”

Roarson said her favorite song to perform is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

“If I can play music that helps people and comforts them. That’s a blessing for me,” she said. “I’ve had people say to me your music just blesses me. That makes it all worthwhile.”

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