Obituary of Clara Meyer

Longtime Bethune, Colorado resident Clara Beringer Meyer passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at her home in Bethune surrounded by family. She was 92 years old. Clara was born on January 22, 1919 to Gottlieb Beringer and Katherine Zweygardt Beringer on their farm 8 miles northwest of St. Francis, Kansas. She was baptized on February 16, 1919, by Reverend O.H. Zeilinger at the Salem Lutheran Church. She was confirmed at Salem by Reverend Zeilinger on June 18, 1933 in a class of 6 boys and 6 girls. Clara attended country school through the 8th grade. The school was 4 miles from home and she traveled by horse and buggy, and later by a Model A Ford. Clara met Clord Meyer of Bethune, Colorado at Salem during a mission fest Sunday. On April 26, 1942, they were married by Reverend Zeilinger. They were getting their first farm house ready to move into, when Clord got his draft notice. He left on June 2, 1942, and Clara moved back in with her parents, until Clord was discharged 3 ½ years later. They had 3 children: Clord Dean born October 6, 1943, Dorothy Dianne born December 6, 1946, and Dale David born April 29, 1952. When she and Clord were in their 60’s, they became guardians for their grandson Erick. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church all her married life. She was a 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, and Luther League Sponsor while her children grew up. On April 1, 1962, Clara became the Postmaster of Bethune, so they built a house and moved in October 11, 1962. She served as Postmaster for 23 years and retired in 1985. When her children were small, she and several neighbor ladies formed a sewing club which is still going. They met at each other’s homes and took turns serving as hostess. She was known as the queen of hostesses, always ready to serve. She also belonged to a painting club. She wrote a history of Bethune, a history of the Bethune post office, and many family histories, including the Zweygardt side and back 12 generations on the Beringer side. During that time, they took several trips, one being a several week tour to Europe. They went to Canada several times also. Clara enjoyed crafts and giving them away. She also made many quilts, including ones through Immanuel Lutheran Church Women for Lutheran World Relief. Preceding her in death were her parents Gottlieb and Katherine, her two sons Clord and Dale, her husband Clord, her sister Amelia, brother Edwin, 2 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law. She is survived by her daughter Dorothy, granddaughter Sheryl and her husband Glen Thiede, grandsons Erick Meyer, Stan Meyer and his wife Amanda, and Jamie Meyer, as well as by her great grandchildren Dusty, Paige and Sierra Thiede. She is also survived by her sister-in-law LaVera Beringer, many nieces, nephews, relative and friends. Clara would say that she went most places that she wanted to go, did most things she wanted to do, had a full life, had lots of friends, and touched people’s lives along the way. She was alone, but could feel God’s presence and that sustained her. She had many special friends. “If I had given joy to anyone, I got back more than I gave I am sure, many times over. Live life to the fullest, it’s well worth the effort.”