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LORETTA ANNE BEYER

Loretta Anne Beyer got to meet her Savior face to face for the first time on the morning of March 27, 2021. She was 64.

Loretta was born as a missionary child in Zimbabwe, Africa, where her parents, the late George and Patricia (Howe) Dee ministered to the African people for over 40 years. After completing her K-12 schooling in boarding schools she came to the United States to study music at Houghton College in New York. Afterward she spent time in her parents’ home state of Michigan where she met and married Daryl, her husband of 41 years. They have two children, Krystal (Jud) Collins and Brad Beyer – who both live in southern lower Michigan – three grandchildren Jaelyn, Pierson, and Elysia. She is also survived by sister, Carolyn (Chris) Holland, sister-in-law, Susan Dee. Loretta was preceded in death by her brother, Jonathan Dee.

Loretta had a great passion for teaching music. She taught private piano lessons out of her home for many decades, and, at least here in Alpena, if you hadn’t been taught by her directly, you probably knew somebody (or in many cases several people) who had. She spent so many thousands of hours pouring into the lives of people, both for their musical edification and, more importantly, helping them and encouraging them however she could. It was her own very special ministry, and right up until the last week of her life she was still encouraging others, praying for them and investing in their lives.

Loretta loved to spend time at the local swimming pool many hours a week, participating in the various classes that were offered, exercising, and socializing with the other patrons. She was also a voracious reader, often consuming 3-5 books at once. She loved to take walks and go on long bike rides with Daryl around Alpena.

Finally, Loretta was a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and prayer warrior. In addition to the above-mentioned “piano bench ministry” she was a faithful member of both Word of Life Baptist Church and New Life Christian Fellowship where she also was an active participant in their regular prayer groups.

The family would like to express their deep thanks for the truly extraordinary show of support from so many friends and family over the last few months in the form of constant prayers, meals, financial support, people who would come and sit with Loretta or Daryl during the day or night, and so many more ways. They would also like to express thanks for the wonderful caregivers from hospice here in Alpena.

A memorial service will be held on April 10, 2021 at Word of Life Baptist Church. Family and friends may gather from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11 a.m. Cremation arrangements are being handled by the Bannan Funeral Home. For those unable to attend, the memorial service will be streamed live at bannanfuneralhome.com.

Inurnment: Evergreen Cemetery

In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ebenezer Ministries at ebenezer-ministries.org/donate/. This ministry is run by members of Loretta’s family and directly impacts the people of her beloved birthplace, Zimbabwe. Thank you all.