Geraldine Beyer

Geraldine Beyer, age 89 of Grinnell, died on Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the Grinnell United Methodist Church with Pastor Dave Crow officiating. A reception will follow the service in the Friendship Center of the church. Interment will be at the Friends Cemetery in New Sharon.

Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorials may be designated to the Grinnell United Methodist Church, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family online at www.smithfh.com.

Geraldine Louise Adkins was born the daughter of Grandville Leroy Adkins and Clara Viola (Stewart) Adkins on August 10, 1929 in Grinnell, Iowa. She was raised in the Grinnell-Newburg area and on the family farm near Searsboro, Iowa. Jerry graduated from Searsboro High School in 1947.

Jerry was united in marriage to Earl Max Beyer on August 22, 1947 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 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.

Jerry loved life on the farm and held a special place in her heart for the animals. She was a loving wife and mother who devoted much of her life to making sure her family was well-taken care of. She was a talented artist who enjoyed painting and cake decorating. Jerry taught her children and grandchildren the value of hard work and taking time to enjoy the simple things in life. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, for being a good listener, and for the love of her family.

Jerry is survived by her husband, Earl Beyer of Grinnell; daughters, Cheryl (Michael) Bristle of Bixby, Oklahoma, Sandy (Russ) Motta of Grinnell Iowa, Lorri (Eric) Gettes of Clinton, Iowa; son, Gary (Karen) Beyer of Nashua, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and siblings, Marilyn Elliott of Winter Springs, Florida, Don Adkins of Darlington, Missouri, Russell Adkins of Fair Grove, Missouri, Richard Adkins of Unionville, Missouri and Bruce Adkins of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Jeanne Lewis, Jane Moffitt, and Charles Adkins.

“Great gifts come in small packages”