Patricia "Pat" Beyers

Patricia Joan (Henry) Beyers was born March 13, 1933 to Edwin and Irene (Feldman) Henry in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. She grew up in St. Cloud, Thief River Falls, International Falls, Hibbing, Duluth and Pipestone, and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1951. She married Elvin Beyers of Holland in September 1951 while he was serving in the U.S. Navy, and they lived in Atlantic City, N.J., until they returned to the Pipestone area in 1953.

Pat and Elvin had four children: Cheri, Scott, Brendon and Cyndi. While they were growing up, Pat helped run the family seed business and was a 4-H volunteer and church choir leader. In 1971, Pat moved to Pipestone and began working at the Pipestone County Star as a reporter and photographer. She and Elvin divorced in 1972.
Pat’s passion was for the Pipestone community. She served as a city council member both in the 1970s and early 2000s and was the first female president of the Pipestone Chamber of Commerce. She was instrumental in organizing reunions and keeping track of lifelong friends and high school classmates.

After her children were grown, she moved to Northfield, Minnesota; Manchester, Iowa; and Granite Falls, Minnesota, and began a second career in economic development. She led successful economic development efforts in both Manchester and Granite Falls before retiring and returning to Pipestone in 1998. Throughout her adult life, Pat was a leader and volunteer for community organizations including the Pipestone Shrine Association, Pipestone County Historical Society, Historic Pipestone, Inc., Pipestone Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Pipestone Performing Arts Center.

She was also active in her church, Our Saviour’s Lutheran in Pipestone, serving as a council member and singing in the church choir. She was a proud member of the Al Opland Singers and Sweet Adelines, and for several years organized annual Red Hat Society Extravaganza gatherings that drew hundreds of women to Pipestone.

Along with her civic activities, Pat loved to garden, read, using her computer, and visiting with friends and family. She traveled throughout the United States and took her dream trip, to England and Ireland, in 2001. She said many times that the best thing she ever did was moving back to Pipestone in retirement.

Pat passed away peacefully on Monday, June 25, 2018 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 85 years, three months, and 12 days.

She is survived by her children, Cheri Huber of West St. Paul, Minnesota; Scott (Becky) of New Brighton, Minnesota, Brendon of Manhattan, Montana, and Cyndi (Kelly) Gernhart of Montgomery, Texas; sister, Katie Gearhart of Markle, Indiana; brothers, Terry Hurley of Colorado, Mike Hurley of Flandreau, South Dakota, and Roger (Carole) Hurley of Flandreau; grandchildren, Matt Huber, Brad Huber, Caroline Gernhart, Julia Gernhart; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Patrick Hurley.