Martha Mae (Augustine) Beer, 84, our beautiful, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at the Kansas Medical Center, Andover, Kansas. Martha was born December 1, 1931, in Ellis, KS to Joseph and Sophie (Weber) Augustine. She married William Beer on October 17, 1949, where they began their lives in WaKeeney, KS.
Martha was a devoted, long-time member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she was actively involved with the Altar Society, CCD teacher, the choir, and Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered as a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader for all her children. For over fifty years, she was a member of the Gamma Eta chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha where she held various officer positions. She loved playing bridge and belonged to several card clubs. Education was something she strongly believed in thus she spent many years as a World Book Consultant. This gave her the opportunity to work in schools and share her love of learning. Later in life, Martha comforted many people by working at Schmitt Funeral Home. She loved her flower gardens, canning pickles from Bill’s garden and cooking for family and friends. She always kept her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close to her heart and shared her lovely smile with everyone.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Bill and her children: Bernadette (husband Tom) Crayton of La Grande, OR, Arlin (wife Debbie) Beer of Wichita, KS, Daniel Beer of New York, NY, Sheila (husband Tim) Shaw of Wichita, KS; six grandchildren: Tadd (wife Sarah) Crayton of Austin, TX, Shandi (husband Brian) Ricciotti of Dana Point, CA, Kellen Beer, CA, Connor Beer of Denver, CO, Arisa Shaw of Wichita, KS, and Casey Beer, Wichita, KS; four great-grandchildren: Concetta and Valentino Ricciotti, Abigale Crayton and Eden Eberle Beer; sisters: Dorothy Younger of McPherson, KS and Janie Daniels of Laramie, WY; brothers: Leonard Augustine and Elmer Augustine, both of Hays, KS and Harold Augustine of Hutchinson, KS and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, two infant sons, and brothers Robert, Donald and Larry Augustine.
Visitation will be Friday, January 8, 2016, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, KS. Rosary will follow that evening at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney, KS. Private family burial will be at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery, WaKeeney.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family has requested memorials made to Christ the King Catholic Church or Trego Hospital Endowment Foundation. Checks made to the church or hospital may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.schmittfuneral.com.