Gwendolyn G. Beers

MISSOULA – Gwendolyn G. Beers of Missoula passed away Friday, April 12, 2013, at the age of 96 years old. She was born in Helena to Walter and Anna Gibson on Nov. 16, 1916. Gwen graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1934 and from St. Patrick School of Nursing in 1937.

On Sept. 2, 1941, she married Thomas G. Beers. Tom died in 1951, leaving Gwen to raise seven extremely rambunctious children. Over the next several years, her home became home to many of the Beers siblings' friends. Gwen worked as a floor nurse at St. Patrick Hospital before leaving to raise her children. Eventually, she returned to St. Patrick's as a surgical nurse and then as manager of the Dietary Department and then retired in 1979.

She also worked as a secretary at St. Francis Rectory. Gwen was president of the Parish Family Club, Daughters of Isabella and St. Ann's Society. She was a caregiver for her mother, who lived with the family. She was very involved in the St. Francis Parish, serving for many years as a sacristan, a Eucharistic minister and lector. She also served on both the Parish Council and the Pastoral Council.

In addition to her husband, Tom, Gwen was predeceased by her brother, Vernon "Bud" Gibson; sisters, Vera Regan, Adeline May and Phyllis Fitzpatrick; her daughters, Barbara Voth and Beverly Boylan-Zachariason; and son James Beers. She is survived by her sons, John (Brenda) and Thomas (Brenda); daughters, Katheryn Deeds (Jimmie) and Mary Shelley (Trevert).

She is also survived by grandchildren, Barb's sons Todd (Nancy) and Tim (Brenda); Bev's sons Brant (Patti), Brad (Dana) and daughter Tawny Browning; John's sons Brian (Elizabeth), Chris and Gary; Kate's son Thomas and daughter Jennifer; Mary's sons Ken and Rich; Tom's son Pat (Sandra) and daughter Leanne Schmitt-Beers (Steve); and Jim's daughters Rebecca Halldorson (Karty) and Kate Brady (Cory), Mary Beers and son Michael.

She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Vigil will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 16 at Garden City Funeral Home and funeral Mass will be Wednesday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Church with burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation, 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Read Gwendolyn Beers's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.