Elfreda Beyer Waltz

Elfrieda Beyer Waltz. age 83, passed away Jan. 5, 2018, surrounded by her husband and children in Kearney, Mo. She was born in Lakeview, Mich., on July 29, 1934 to Karl and Helen (Johnson) Beyer. Elfrieda grew up the first ten years of her life on a farm in Remus, Mich. She then moved with her family to Saginaw, Mich. Elfrieda graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1952, and later attended Alma College, graduating in 1956 with an A.B. degree in French. Elfrieda accepted a graduate assistantship at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she met her future soul mate, James Waltz. The two were married at St. Stephen's Church in Saginaw on June 15, 1957, and began 60 years of marriage. They moved to Columbus, Ohio, where her husband was a student in the College of Medicine at Ohio State University and Elfrieda taught French in a local high school. Jim's residency in surgery took them to the Chicago, Ill., area where their daughter Lisa was born. Jim's private practice of surgery took them to the Kansas City, Mo., area where their son Christopher was born. Retirement began in 1999, and Elfrieda and Jim did some enjoyable traveling until the onset of her illness in August, 2017. She was an excellent cook, seamstress, pianist, organist, French horn player, and enjoyed gardening and entertaining. She was fond of good food, classical music and opera. Preceding Elfrieda in death are her grandparents and parents. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim; children, Lisa, Chris, and their spouses; brothers, Bernhard of Saginaw, Mich., and Ed of Prescott, Ariz; five grandchildren and a great-grandson. Elfrieda was a Catholic and thus, Mass of the Resurrection will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111 on Saturday, Jan. 13. The Rosary will be said at 9 a.m. and Mass at 9:30 a.m., with Father Jim Shea celebrating. There will be no visitation. Elfrieda will be interred in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Massillon, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Elfrieda's name to Alma College in Alma, Mich. Elfrieda was a remarkable lady…intelligent, loveable, talented and one of a kind. Jim was fortunate to be able to spend 60 years of love with her. May she rest in peace. A private graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Massillon, Ohio. Father Raymond Paul will be officiating.