Kathleen Marie Beer

Kathleen Marie Beer was born on October 12, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan to Catherine and Peter Kovalak. She died at home on October 9, 2024 at the age of 90 with her loved ones. Kathleen grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan where she attended the Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Schools. After graduation she began taking classes at Wayne State University where she met her future husband on a blind date. They eventually married and moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia where Ken Beer taught Art and Art History classes at James Madison University. Kathleen returned to college after the birth of her fourth child and finished her Bachelor's of Art degree from James Madison University. During her long life, Kathleen served in many volunteer and professional positions, always in service to others. She volunteered with Meals On Wheels, CoHope, and Friendship Industries. She served as the Executive Director of the Harrisonburg Community Services Board and later the A.R.C. of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. She worked part-time at the First Virginia Planters Bank in Bridgewater to help cover the cost of tuition for her children. Upon retirement, she became active serving on the board for the future North River Library and through her work and fundraising efforts was instrumental in bringing it to fruition. Kathleen's first priority was always her family. She was married to her husband, Kenneth John Beer, Jr., Associate Professor Emeritus of J.M.U., for 62 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken, along with a brother Edward Kovalak of San Diego, CA, and her son Jeff Beer of Broadway, VA. She leaves behind one brother, David Kovalak (wife Judy) of Washington, MI, a sister-in-law Francis Dean of Delray Beach, Florida along with three surviving children-son Chris (wife P.J.) Beer of Canton, GA, daughter Jennifer (husband Dan) Krouse of Knoxville, TN, and daughter Laura Gandy (fiance Jeff Courtney) of Chapin, SC. Additionally, she is survived by a daughter-in-law, Wendy Beer, of Broadway, VA., several nieces and nephews, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren who were her pride and joy. A Celebration of Life will take place at 4:00pm on November 16th at the Rose Mortuary, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the North River Library, 118 Mt. Crawford Ave. #1728, Bridgewater, VA 22812.

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Kathleen Marie Beer

October 12, 1933 - October 9, 2024