Earl Beyer, 94, of Grinnell, died Saturday, May 2, 2020, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
A private family graveside service with military honors was held Tuesday, May 5, at Friends Cemetery in New Sharon with Pastor Dave Crow officiating. Memorials may be designated to the Earl M. Beyer Memorial Fund to benefit organizations for veterans and mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Earl Beyer was born Aug. 22, 1925, on a farm near Taintor to Geurt and Hattie (Ver Steegh) Beyer. He was the youngest of eight children. He attended school in Searsboro until he completed 10th grade. He then worked on the family farm near Searsboro until he was drafted in 1943. He served in the 31st Infantry Dixie Division in the United States Army during WWII from 1943-1946. During the war, they occupied the Philippines on the island of Leyte.
Earl was united in marriage to Geraldine Louise Adkins on Aug. 22, 1947, in Oskaloosa. They were blessed with four children: Cheryl, Gary, Sandy, and Lorri. Together, they farmed in the Grinnell area for all of their 71 years of marriage.
Earl was an outdoorsman who held a passion for farming the land. He was a hard worker, but never passed on a chance to spend time or make a memory with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and attending sporting events. He will be remembered for his strong and noble character, for being a man of few words, for always being there to help neighbors and family, and for the strong love of his family.
Earl is survived by his daughters: Cheryl (Michael) Bristle of Bixby, OK, Sandy (Russ) Motta of Grinnell, Lorri (Eric) Gettes of Clinton; son, Gary (Karen) Beyer of Nashua; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Geraldine Beyer on Oct. 12, 2018; his brothers, Richard, Glen, Dale, Lester, and Melvin Beyer; and his sisters, Helen Willemsen and Margaret Sparks.
