Patricia (Pat) Beer

Patricia (Pat) Beer

Cedar Rapids

Patricia (Pat) Beer, July 10, 1936 - October 9, 2024. On October 9, 2024, Patricia (Pat) Beer was called by God to play the grand pipe organ in heaven for His choir of angels.

Visitation will take place on October 14 at St. Wenceslaus Church, beginning at 9:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM, celebrated by Father Dennis Conway. Interment at Saint John’s Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. The family is being cared for by Papich-Kuba Funeral Service.

Pat, 88, was born in Cedar Rapids to Matthew (Rosie) and Mary (Nanny) Sejnoha Ruzicka. She is survived by her three children, Jeanne and James Kewley of Marion, Dr. Steven and Terra Beer of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Dr. Bradley and Janette Beer of Cedar Rapids. She was a proud grandmother to seven wonderful grandchildren—Crossland, Simon, Eliott, Meredith, Lydia, Anna, and Olivia Beer—whom she loved dearly. She cherished their visits, phone calls, and attending their activities.

Pat was the oldest of six children. Her surviving siblings include Bob (Theresa) Ruzicka, Mike Ruzicka (Mary Henderson) and Denny (Karan) Ruzicka. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Barb Ruzicka, brother-in-law Alan Smejkal (Sybil Merfeld) and sisters-in-law June Beer and Jean Beer. She was "Aunt Pat" to many nieces and nephews that she loved.

Pat grew up in the close-knit neighborhood of Stumptown, where neighbors were like family and lifelong friendships were made. She began playing the pipe organ at St. Wenceslaus Church at the age of 12, under the guidance of Sister Mary Sylvester. For 75 years, she offered her talent to the church, playing for services and her dear friends in the choir. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother.

She met her future husband, Jerry Beer, while working at Scrumptious, an ice cream shop in Cedar Rapids. When Jerry and his friends came in for ice cream, they asked him what he wanted, and he replied, "Her!" They were married for 63 years. In the later years of Jerry’s life, Pat was his devoted caregiver, and she stayed by his side until his passing in 2018.

Pat began a career as a bookkeeper in 1965, retiring in 2014 with the last 40 years working alongside Jeanne. Pat was a longtime member of the Sokol Gymnastics Association and St. Mary’s Society for over 60 years.

She had a variety of hobbies and interests, including solving crossword puzzles, reading, and listening to Czech music. Pat loved nothing more than sitting in her recliner watching TV, especially game shows, nature programs, comedies, and cheering for her favorite football team, the Kansas City Chiefs. She had a soft spot for Czech food and enjoyed kolaches, dumplings, sauerkraut, and Houska.

Pat enjoyed spending her afternoons playing board games like Trouble, Scrabble, and Uno with her daughter Jeanne and James—and she usually won! Game time was always paired with coffee and dessert. She also adored their little dog, Linen, whose antics never failed to make her laugh.

Known for her stylish sense of fashion, Pat always wore her guardian angel pin on her shirt. She was friendly and outgoing, loved meeting new people, and could always remember names and stories from her conversations.

Mom, we love you so much and you will be missed tremendously. You were the best mom ever and a true gift from God. You were always so loving, caring, consulting, and nurturing. Our lives will never be the same without our mother and grandmother. For years you lived with chronic arthritis and sciatica that caused you horrific pain. Now we take comfort in knowing you are free from pain.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry, her brother Ronnie Ruzicka, her sister Mary Lou Smejkal, her nephew Randi Ruzicka, and in-laws Arleen and Quentin Collins, and Raymond and Marvin Beer.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jason Booth, who Pat adored, and the amazing nurses and caregivers at The Views and Mercy Hospice. Their compassion and kindness will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Hospital, the ASPCA, or St. Wenceslaus Church.

Please feel free to leave notes for the family on Pat’s wall at www.papich-kubafs.com.