- Born on: October 24, 1947
- Departed on: August 5, 2026
- Resided in: Independence, IA
Dr. James Earl Beyer
Dr. James Earl Beyer, born October 24, 1947 in Holstein, IA passed away peacefully at home on August 5, 2026. He was the only son of Earl and Lorraine Beyer and little brother to Connie Ogier, now of Vinton. Jim attended kindergarten through senior year in Holstein. He graduated from high school in 1966 having never missed a day, just one example of his fastidious approach to life.
Jim studied at Iowa State University and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. ISU also led Jim to the one and only love of his life, Jeanette Rae Soloth from McClelland, IA. Married within months of their first date in 1969, Jim & Jeanette would have celebrated their 57th anniversary this month. To know Jim was to know Jeanette was the center of his world.
As a young veterinarian, Jim was drawn to the Winthrop Veterinary Clinic by the chance to help grow a practice rather than join an established one. For Jim, being a veterinarian did not end with just treating the animals. He reveled in the special relationships that evolved over the decades with his partners and clients. One of his superpowers was deductive reasoning in solving a complicated case. Another was just listening.
Jim loved his life with Jeanette in his corner of Buchanan County. Their acreage outside Quasqueton was an idyllic place to raise children, honor the land, and apply his creative ingenuity (a.k.a. Jimmyrigging). He retired in 2015. More recently, he turned his focus to reading and savoring the world outside his front window, while embracing all that technology brought to his fingertips. Family and friends looked forward to a Jim text, as it was always carefully crafted. He took pride in using words in all their forms. He took as much delight in having his thoughts provoked as he did in stumping others. The wheels in his head were turning, always.
Whether calmly solving an animal's problem in the middle of the night as Doc Beyer or orchestrating his legendary Easter Egg hunts as Grandpa/Papa, Jim lived to think about and care for others. He was a master at catching people off guard with his sincerely inquisitive personal questions and distinctive take on life.
A lifetime of one-of-a-kind Jim memories are shared by his wife Jeanette, his three kids and their spouses, along with 11 grandchildren: Jill & Eric Raefield and Evan, Owen, Sydney and Miles of Iowa City; Chris & Jayme Beyer and Lauren, Lindsay, Lydia and LeaAnn of rural Independence; Jody & Brent Larson and Riley, Blake and Emma of rural Story City. The grandkids describe a thinker, a lover of riddles, and a keen observer of the little things, never little to him. Because of the man's generous and thoughtful planning, they each carry tales of tractor rides, fishing afternoons, refereeing games inside and out, and his midnight birthday texts (so he could be first) - all delivered with his signature quirky sense of humor. Jim showed love well-lived.
Jim's life will be celebrated at an open house gathering at his & Jeanette's home at 2640 Girl Scout Blvd, Independence on Sunday, August 23rd from 2:00-5:00 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Jim Beyer Memorial Fund at Bank Iowa, PO Box 229, Independence, IA 50644, for a planned gift to Regional Medical Center of Manchester.
Jim studied at Iowa State University and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. ISU also led Jim to the one and only love of his life, Jeanette Rae Soloth from McClelland, IA. Married within months of their first date in 1969, Jim & Jeanette would have celebrated their 57th anniversary this month. To know Jim was to know Jeanette was the center of his world.
As a young veterinarian, Jim was drawn to the Winthrop Veterinary Clinic by the chance to help grow a practice rather than join an established one. For Jim, being a veterinarian did not end with just treating the animals. He reveled in the special relationships that evolved over the decades with his partners and clients. One of his superpowers was deductive reasoning in solving a complicated case. Another was just listening.
Jim loved his life with Jeanette in his corner of Buchanan County. Their acreage outside Quasqueton was an idyllic place to raise children, honor the land, and apply his creative ingenuity (a.k.a. Jimmyrigging). He retired in 2015. More recently, he turned his focus to reading and savoring the world outside his front window, while embracing all that technology brought to his fingertips. Family and friends looked forward to a Jim text, as it was always carefully crafted. He took pride in using words in all their forms. He took as much delight in having his thoughts provoked as he did in stumping others. The wheels in his head were turning, always.
Whether calmly solving an animal's problem in the middle of the night as Doc Beyer or orchestrating his legendary Easter Egg hunts as Grandpa/Papa, Jim lived to think about and care for others. He was a master at catching people off guard with his sincerely inquisitive personal questions and distinctive take on life.
A lifetime of one-of-a-kind Jim memories are shared by his wife Jeanette, his three kids and their spouses, along with 11 grandchildren: Jill & Eric Raefield and Evan, Owen, Sydney and Miles of Iowa City; Chris & Jayme Beyer and Lauren, Lindsay, Lydia and LeaAnn of rural Independence; Jody & Brent Larson and Riley, Blake and Emma of rural Story City. The grandkids describe a thinker, a lover of riddles, and a keen observer of the little things, never little to him. Because of the man's generous and thoughtful planning, they each carry tales of tractor rides, fishing afternoons, refereeing games inside and out, and his midnight birthday texts (so he could be first) - all delivered with his signature quirky sense of humor. Jim showed love well-lived.
Jim's life will be celebrated at an open house gathering at his & Jeanette's home at 2640 Girl Scout Blvd, Independence on Sunday, August 23rd from 2:00-5:00 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Jim Beyer Memorial Fund at Bank Iowa, PO Box 229, Independence, IA 50644, for a planned gift to Regional Medical Center of Manchester.
