Margaret Ann (Taylor) Beeler, known to all as Peg, was born on November 1, 1925, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Emmett and Addie Philbrick Taylor. Peg passed away peacefully in Boulder Colorado on August 13, 2022.
Peg attended Drake University School of Music, where she was a stand-out vocalist (known as the “little girl with the big voice”) Many were impressed with her vocal talent, including her Aunt Jessie, who offered to pay her full tuition at Juilliard, as well as her professors at Drake who offered to provide her tuition.
Peg chose instead to marry her high school sweetheart, Brad Beeler, on June 20, 1947, and begin their 75 years of adventure together. She used her musical gifts from God to sing on radio station KRNT while in Des Moines, and later on KOA in Denver. She also sang in several church choirs, including First Presbyterian Church in Boulder.
After their Des Moines wedding in 1947, Peg and Brad hitchhiked to Grand Lake, CO, where Peg found work as a vocalist and pianist for a popular restaurant, while Brad worked as an engineer on the rivers. They had many wonderful memories of those years, and considered Grand Lake one of their favorite locations.
Their happy marriage included their 4 daughters, Linda (Steve) Ketcham, Layna Beeler, Patricia (Joseph) Ross, and Polly (Jim) Herlihy and eventually 10 grandchildren (one deceased), as well as 18 great grandchildren.
Peg volunteered in many ways at her church, as well as for other organizations, including Frasier Meadows Retirement Community, beginning 1960. After living in Boulder for many years, Peg and Brad moved into the newly constructed Independent Living wing of Frasier Meadows Manor in 1995. At the Manor Peg found never ending ways to volunteer- helping retired missionaries, shut-in’s, and running the Surplus Store for many years. She was always ready to reach out to someone who was alone or needed some help. She and Brad enjoyed the Frasier community life and friends, gradually moving through the levels of care to the Health Care wing. She always enjoyed opportunities to listen (and sing along) with the wonderful vocal musicians and pianists who came in to share their talents with the residents.
The staff members in the Health Care center became friends with Peg, Brad and our whole family over the years, and we are forever grateful for their excellent care.
A Memorial Service & Celebration of Peg’s life will take place on Saturday September 24th in the Eldorado Room at Frasier Meadows Manor at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be sent to:
Frasier Meadows Resident Assistance Fund
350 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO 80303.
To order
memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margaret Beeler, please visit our
flower store.