Dorothy Marie Beers

Dorothy Marie Beers, 92, of Holmen, went home to her Savior on August 3, 2015 after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident. She was born on September 9, 1922 in Holly, CO to Jake and Mary (Kuddes) Gieswein. She graduated from Wilsey High School in Wilsey, KS and began her long career of teaching and service. She received her Bachelor of Nursing degree from College of Emporia in Emporia, KS. She then enlisted in the U.S. Army in California during WWII and served as an Army nurse for two years. After her military service she completed a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. Dorothy married James L. Beers on August 14, 1948 in Omaha, NE. They moved to Fulton, MO, where she worked as an RN at the Callaway County Hospital. While living there, their son Randy was born. They then moved to Wooster, OH in 1955 where she also worked as an RN. The family then moved to La Crosse in 1959 where their daughter Janell was born in 1961. Dorothy worked at Grandview Hospital until she began work at Coleman Technical Institute as the head of their newly formed Practical Nursing Dept. In 1970 Dorothy began a new career as a nursing professor at Viterbo University, where she taught until 1985. After retiring from Viterbo she became a clinician for St. Francis Hospice. She went on to become a hospice volunteer and ministered to many families. She was an active member and deaconess at First Free Church for nearly forty years. Dorothy loved spending time at her farm in Newton Valley. Her favorite hobby was quilting. Dorothy made hundreds of quilts in her life and many baby quilts for her church. Dorothy had many friends and will be missed by all that knew her. Her Christian faith sustained her and guided her throughout her life. Well done, good and faithful servant.
She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter Janell (Randal) Newton of Lino Lakes, MN and their children Elizabeth and Anna Newton, a son Randall Beers of Onalaska, two brothers John “Jack” (Joanne) Gieswein of Wilsey, KS and Robert (Bonnie) Gieswein of Herington, KS along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and countless friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James in 1976 and two brothers Floyd Gieswein and William “Ed” Gieswein.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at First Free Church, 123 Mason St., Onalaska, WI. Pastor Andy Hahn will officiate. Burial will take place in the Haukley Cemetery, Newton Valley, Vernon County, WI at a later date. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorial are preferred. The Schumacher- Kish Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family.