Patricia Van Niel Beers

URBANDALE

Patricia V. Beers passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at Methodist West Hospital. Funeral services will be held 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 19, 2010 at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines, with cremation and burial at a later date at Resthaven Cemetery. Family will be present one hour before the service.

Patricia was born on September 27, 1923 in Rochester, New York to Muriel (Ferrett) and Cornelius Van Niel. She lived in Rochester until 1967 at which time she moved to West Des Moines. She attended Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts and received her BA in 1945, remaining an active alumnus.

A devoted wife and mother, she appreciated nature and wildlife and believed strongly in conserving natural resources. She enjoyed being with family and friends, gardening, playing bridge, summers in Canada, and the New York Times crossword puzzle. Due to her lifelong love of learning and as an early childhood educator, she had an astute appreciation for literature, especially children’s.

She is survived by her children Anne Taylor of Thoreau, NM, Joan (John) Gustafson of Bettendorf, IA, Judith (Scott) Rosenberg of Des Moines, IA, Suzanne (James) McIntyre of Des Moines, IA, Nancy Ingamells of Jacksonville Beach, FL, John Beers, Jr. (Georgina Boyd) of Fairbanks, AK, and William (Cyndie) Beers of Hollister, MO, 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, brothers C. Richard (Marilyn) Van Niel, of New Bern, NC, and Robert (Ann) of Pittsford, NY, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands John H. Taylor and John M. Beers, sister Jeanne Clarke, and son-in-law Stanley Ingamells.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or Habitat for Humanity.

Her family wishes to express gratitude and thanks to her doctor, David Nordstrom MD, his staff, and the staff of Iowa Health Home Care.