Mary Beers

Mary J. (DeGeest) Beers, age 92, Motley, passed away at the Lakewood Health System Care center on Saturday, February 12. A funeral service is planned for Thursday, February 17th, at 11:00 AM, at the Motley United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, at the church. Burial will be at the Motley Public Cemetery.

Mary Jean Beers was born September 18, 1919 in Jack Creek township in Emmet County, Iowa, to Levi and Susan (McCombs) DeGeest . She attended school in Graettinger, Iowa until 1929 moving then to Popular Township on Hwy 64 north of Leader, then attending school at Oak Grove, where she met Paul Beers. Mary then completed her high school education at Motley High School in three years. In 1938 she attended Teachers training in Pine River, earning a teaching certificate for rural schools. She then taught at North Kentucky School from 1939-1941.

On June 27, 1941 she married the love of her life Paul Beers at The United Methodist Church in Staples. They lived on the family farm (Gladiola Farm) for 60 years. Mary taught 10 more years in rural schools, Oak Grove, Workman, Popular, & Leader. She enrolled in summer and night classes at Saint Cloud & Bemidji to earn a BA in Education, then taught third grade 20 more years at Motley Elementary. Mary retired from teaching in May 1981.

She and Paul enjoyed spending their winters in Arizona for many years after retirement.
Mary enjoyed gardening, needlework, cooking, traveling, and square dancing. She was an active member of the Motley United Methodist Church. Her greatest joy was her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband, Paul; & brothers, Everett, Joe, Emmett, Melvin, Glen; and sister, Bertha Truesdell. Mary will be missed by her two daughters, Carol (Ron) Kramer and Bonnie (Terry) Farber, of Motley; her grandchildren, Doug (Shelly )Kramer, Holly Kramer, Teri (Dan) Martin, Rich (Amy) Dingman, Charles Farber, and Shannon Farber; 11 great grand Children; and 4 great great grandchildren.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.