Beverly Meixner, 89, Owatonna

Heaven gained an angel on April 28, 2025. Beverly Alice (Eggers) Meixner, a devoted farm wife, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, passed into her heavenly home at Timberdale Trace, surrounded by family. She is now joined with her beloved husband, Marvin, who preceded her in death in 2023, a reunion she longed for.

Beverly was born, June 14, 1935, to Clarence and Alice (Dinse) Eggers in Ellendale. Beverly was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden, and was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. She graduated from Ellendale High School in 1953, as the valedictorian of her class. She was active in the band, playing the cornet, pep band, girls glee club, pep club, class plays, office girls and paper staff. Beverly excelled in secretarial skills and worked part-time at the local bank in Ellendale. After graduation she moved to Owatonna and worked at Security Bank of Owatonna.

Beverly met the love of her life at a dance and was married to Marvin Meixner on Sept. 9, 1956. They had enjoyed 67 years of marriage before Marvin’s passing in November 2023. Beverly and Marvin were farming partners as Beverly moved to Marvins’ home farm in Somerset Township. She embraced the role of farm wife and homemaker. Together they raised their three children.

She was a talented seamstress, often making matching holiday dresses for her two daughters and herself. She enjoyed cooking and baking, canning, preserving and preparing hearty meals for her busy farm family. Beverly also helped with the farm chores and washed the milking equipment. She helped with fieldwork and driving tractor to haul grain to the local Elevator in Hope.

Along with her husband, she was a 4-H leader. She always encouraged her children with their various school activities, 4-H livestock, sewing, baking, and gardening projects.

Gathering with family was very important to Beverly and she often hosted large family reunions at their farm. She carried her strong Christian upbringing into her own family. Beverly enjoyed her church family at First Lutheran Church of Hope for over 67 years. She was Sunday School teacher and superintendent and a member of the Martha Mary Circle for Bible study and prayer for many years. She was also involved in the neighborhood women’s homemakers club. Along with her husband, they volunteered for the annual meatball supper at First Lutheran of Hope.

Beverly was a member of the American Dairy Association and a lifelong promoter of the dairy industry. Along with her husband, she received the Steele County ADA Pull-To-Gether Award in 1989. They also received an award for over 25 years of service to the Steele

County ADA Malt program. She was often seen at parades, parks and the Steele County Fair serving malts. Beverly was a member of the MN State and Midwest Ayrshire Dairy Cattle Association. She enjoyed attending many “Breakfasts on the Farms,” and dairy cattle shows at the local, state and national levels.

Beverly was known for her infectious smile and cheerful disposition. She loved being a farmer’s wife and cherished time spent with family and friends. In retirement, Beverly enjoyed traveling in the winter months to Arizona for over 25 years where they formed a new family of friends. Beverly enjoyed trips with family to California, Hawaii and Washington DC.

Beverly is survived by children: Marcia (Jim) Kraus of Oro Valley, Ariz., Mavis (Dale) Schmidt of Green Isle, Minn., Mark (Claudia) Meixner of Ladera Ranch, CA; grandchildren: Derek (Kristina) Strohschein, Josh Schmidt, Dan Goldman, Aidan Meixner, and Tristan Meixner; five step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Griffin and Charlie Goldman; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Margie DeBower, Dee Sundem, and Phyllis Stransky; brother-in-law, Bill Stransky; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Alice Eggers; in-laws, Albert and Agnes Meixner; granddaughter, Crystal Strohschein Goldman; sisters, Eleanor Wangen and Patty Eggers; and brother, Clarence Eggers Jr.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Hope. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Hope with an additional visitation from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Beverly will be laid to rest at Bohemian National Cemetery, Owatonna.

Thank you to Timberdale Trace and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Beverly in the past 18 months.

Michaelson Funeral Home, 1930 Austin Road, Owatonna, is entrusted with arrangements.