March 28, 2024

Esther L. Beyer

Feb. 12, 2017

Esther L. Beyer, 80, of Newton, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at Skiff Medical Center. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16 at the United Presbyterian Church in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Jasper County Fair Board or the Jasper County Historical Society may be left at the funeral home or the church the morning of the service.

Esther, the daughter of Frank and Hazel (Myer) Neasham, was born July 17, 1936, in Newton. She grew up in Newton, where she was active in 4-H and Girl Scouts and graduated from Newton High School in 1954. After high school, Esther attended Airline School in Omaha, and then got a job working for the Department of the Navy for a couple of years in Washington D.C. In 1957, Esther’s parents, along with her high school sweetheart, Roger Beyer, went to Washington to move Esther back home to Newton. Shortly after on May 4, 1958, Roger and Esther were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Newton. On June 23, 1967, they were blessed with the adoption of their daughter, Candace Ann, who was six days old. Esther worked at Hawkeye Chevrolet, owned Candy Cane Beauty Lane and later at the Vernon Company for 27 years, retiring in 1998.

Esther was a member of the United Presbyterian Church where she was a youth group leader and volunteered at Bible school. She was also a member of the Jasper Sheep Producers. Esther loved being outdoors — pheasant hunting with her family, riding snowmobiles and motorcycles and camping. Esther and Roger were charter members of the Washer City Good Sams Club and camped for many years at the Jasper County and Iowa State Fairs. She also enjoyed helping Candace raise and groom lambs to show. Esther and Roger enjoyed vacationing and spent many winters in Harlington, Texas. She was also known for her cooking and her tendency to change each recipe just a bit to add her loving touch. One of Esther’s greatest joys in life was her granddaughter, Madilyn, who she loved to spend time with.

Those left to honor Esther’s memory are her husband, Roger of Newton; daughter, Candace (Kent) De Goey of Newton; granddaughter, Madilyn De Goey of Newton; two step-grandchildren, Jamie De Goey and Jordan De Goey; three nieces; two nephews; her cousins; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Mary Eleanor Johnson.