In Memory of Beverly Ann Meyer

Beverly Meyer, age 76, of Holstein, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at the Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2019, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Pastor Neil Wehmas will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2019, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

   Beverly Ann “Bev” Meyer, was born on August 25, 1942, in Battle Creek, Iowa, she was the daughter of Hans C. M. and Marion (Olson) Knudsen. Bev was baptized September 20, 1942 and confirmed May 20, 1956 at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, IA. 

   Bev was a longtime resident of Ida County, graduating from Battle Creek High School with the class of 1960. She attended the University of South Dakota for a semester following graduation.

   She was blessed with a son, Thomas (Tom) Allen German, on October 14, 1962.

   She married William J.E. “Bill” Meyer on May 27, 1974 in the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Battle Creek, IA and they made their home on the Knudsen family farm north of Battle Creek, where she resided until her death. Bev and Bill farmed their entire lives along with her parents, Hans and Marion, their son Tom (Kristi), and their three grandchildren, Morgan, Daniel and Grace. They raised various crops and livestock. Most winters Bev could be found in the sheep barn checking on the lambing progress. Wherever she went on the farm, a trail of kittens could be found following. She shared fond memories of cultivating with her cousin Barb Pfleeger and accompanying her dad to Chicago to sell cattle. As an only child, she was her dad’s right-hand woman.

   Bev also held various off-the-farm jobs including working for McGuire Auction Company and was the school board secretary and business manager of Holstein Community School District and later Galva-Holstein Community School District. She made many great and lasting friendships with others around the state holding similar school positions. After she retired from Galva-Holstein Schools, she was asked to help out temporarily at various school districts around the state of Iowa including Lawton-Bronson, Maurice-Orange City, Hamburg, and Walnut.

   Bev enjoyed traveling with Bill on their motorcycle and riding with their other motorcycle friends. They especially enjoyed taking trips to Branson, MO, and did this regularly. They also spent time at Okoboji with Tom, Kristi, and the grandkids continuing a tradition that Bev shared with her parents in her youth and early in their marriage. Bev and Bill travelled to Hawaii and California to visit family and close friends as well.

   Bev was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, IA. She was also a member of the Battle Creek Alumni Board for 15 years and was a proud Battle Creek Bomber. She enjoyed doing many things to promote and prepare for the annual Alumni Banquet and putting together alumni booklets. Bev regularly planned for her class reunion and even hosted a few reunions over the years. 

   She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents Hans and Marion Knudsen; her parents-in-law Edward and Miriam Meyer; and cousin Becky Weber.

   Survivors include her son Thomas (Kristi) German of Holstein, IA; grandchildren Morgan (Garion) Consier of Seward, NE, Daniel German and Grace German of Holstein, IA; sister-in-law Hollis (Reuben) Gawara of Santee, CA; cousin Ina (Paul) Shannon of Alta, IA; cousin-in-law David Weber of Ayrshire, IA; cousin Barbara Pfleeger of Arthur, IA; nephew James (Patty) Gawara and niece Miriam Gawara, all of Santee, CA, extended family, friends, neighbors, and classmates.