Mary Waidner Beers

Mary Ella Waidner Beers, 97, of Delavan Lake, died at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center on March 10, 2015, after a short illness. Mary was born April 6, 1917 in Wilmette, IL the daughter of William N. Waidner and Susan Panushka Waidner. She was a natural leader: at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, she was president of her freshman class, and at Northwestern University, she was President of her sorority, Alpha Phi, and Co-Chair of Homecoming in 1939. She graduated with a BA in English, and on Sept. 16, 1939 married Thomas Moulding Beers in Wilmette, IL. Mary and Tom first met and fell in love on Delavan Lake in 1931 and continued to spend summers sailing there with their four children and enjoying their many friends at the Lake. They lived on the Chicago North Shore making their home in Kenilworth before moving to Potomac, Maryland in 1959. Mary was a volunteer in her community wherever she lived, active in her childrens' schools, and Scout troops, the Junior Leagues of Evanston IL and Washington DC, The Women's Auxiliary of the National Symphony, the Board of the Traveler's Aid Society, the Kenilworth Union Church and Concord St. Andrews United Methodist Church. In 1995 they retired to live on Delavan Lake were they had first met. At Delavan, Mary was an active member of the UCC-Congregational Church of Delavan, Delavan Lake Garden Club, Delavan Lake Yacht Club, Monday Club, and many other community organizations. Mary was an avid traveler, birdwatcher, gardener, bridge player, and knitter. She loved to entertain and presided over many gatherings of family and friends. Her gracious manner, sunny smile, and sparkling laugh will be missed by all who knew her. Mary is survived by two daughters, Dr. Susan Elizabeth Beers (Peter) Betzer of St. Petersburg, Fl, Nancy Waidner Beers (John) Parsons of Annapolis, MD and two sons, Dr, Thomas Moulding Beers, Jr. of San Diego, CA:whom she frequently visited along with other San Diego friends and Richard William (Kay) Beers of Delavan Lake and her nephew, Steve Beers of Fontana WI; 6 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Numerous other nephews and nieces also survive. She was predeceased by her husband Tom and daughter- in- law Jane Beers. Funeral services will be 12:30pm Sunday, March 22, 2015 at the U CC-Congregational Church of Delavan with the Rev. Laura McLeod officiating. Burial is in Spring Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the Betzer Funeral Home Sat. March 21, from 3 to 5pm. Memorials may be made to the Jane Beers Memorial Fund, Campanile Foundation, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, Ca 92812 or the Delavan Lake Sailing School, PO Box 72, Delavan,WI 53115. Service Information Sunday, March 22nd, 2015 12:30pm