Barbara Jean Beer Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Barbara Jean Beer, 97 of Traverse City passed away peacefully on October 28, 2020 at Munson Medical Center. Barbara was born July 7, 1923 in Ann Arbor MI to the late Harold and Thelma (Oswald) Steele. She married the late Alfred Beer Jr. in Trenton, Michigan in the early war years. She spent 1943-44 living with her parents while “Boots” was overseas. Trenton provided the perfect place to raise their children, David and Diana. She shared great stories and fond memories of growing up in Ann Arbor, Brighton and Detroit. Barbara and her sister Marylee were some of the few children who spent summer vacations at the Northern Michigan Asylum. Her Uncle Earl and his father Edgar were responsible for grounds management and became the host for family vacations for many years. The farmhouse still stands on the property and Barb delighted in telling how the root beer exploded in the garage. She kept a beautiful home that always provided safe haven for family. Her fabulous chocolate chip cookies and perfectly painted Christmas sugar cookies led to family thievery and hoarding. Surviving Barbara are her children David Beer of Traverse City, Diana Aug of Cedar, grandson Bryan Crook, and great grandchildren Becca, Brett and Brad Crook of Illinois. Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Alfred (Boots) Beer, her sister Marylee Steinhauer and parents Harold and Thelma Steele. Private family life celebration will be held at a later time. Barbara’s family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Barbara Jean Beer

July 7, 1923 - October 28, 2020