Bev was born in 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Charles and Elizabeth Clutter. In 1944, her parents moved to Adrian, Michigan to open their own bakery.

The Clutter Bakery was a big part of the family's life, and Bev worked there as a teenager.

The Clutters in 1945

Bev had two brothers, Ron and David. Ron was two years younger than Bev. David was ten years younger.