Transition of Mrs. John Beyer

Mary Catherine Lubben was born in Dayton, Ohio, August 16, 1847, and departed this life from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Josephine Bruer, May 1st, aged 64 years, 8 months, 15 days.



At the age of seven years, death deprived her of both father and mother and left her with an only sister, four years her senior, to face life's battles. Her early childhood and young womanhood were spent in Dayton, Ohio. December 10th, 1867, in Cincinnati, Ohio she was married to John B. Beyer. Until May 1879, they resided in the various states of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan, then came with the family to Kansas.



To this union were born thirteen children. Four sons and a daughter passed in infancy to the immortal life. The remaining eight are Mrs. Anna Elbl, Mrs Josephine Bruer, Mrs. Emma Adams, Miss Mayme Beyer, all of this city, and Mr. Frank Beyer of Kansas City, Mo, Mr. Joe Beyer of Mooreland, Okla., Mr. Ed Beyer of Wichita, Kansas, and Mr. John Beyer, Jr., of Topeka, Kansas, all of whom were present at the transition services to pay tribute to the life of the noblest and best loved mother who ever made happy the hearts of those she had loved into being.



Two years ago her health began to fail and early in October of last year her suffering became indescribable. The good physicians of this city who attended her, she considered her personal friends and they endeavored with all the skill of their profession to restore her to health but without successful results. In February she was taken to Dr. C. H. Carson of Kansas City, Mo., who relieved her of all pain but assured her that she was slowly but surely growing away from this world and being drawn by the higher power to the world beyond.



Knowing as she did, the opinion of these good physicians, to keep courage in the hearts of her family she still declared she would be restored to health and constantly affirmed "I shall be healed."



Cancer, with a complication of other diseases, destroyed the physical temple in which she lived and liberated her spirit that it might return to its native home. During the long months of sickness never a murmur or word of complaint or discouragement passed her lips.



She frequently saw and described many loved ones who, years ago, passed on to higher life and this gave to her a complete assurance of the deathlessness of life and the immortality of the Soul. The beautiful Spiritualist faith which she so fondly cherished for years gave her strength and courage to hear patiently and sweetly the burden of the physical.



When questioned by her daughter, Mrs. Bruer - who was her constant companion thru her illness - if she did not wish to lay down the burden and close her tired eyes and pass sweetly to peace she answered, "I know the immortal life is beautiful, I can see my angel children there, but as long as I can help any of my children here I want to stay on earth for I can spend all eternity in the world beyond." The same beautiful knowledge that enabled her to pass thru the valley of shadow in peace gave to her immediate family the same brave spirit to assist her and to minister to her needs. Everything possible was done for her comfort and happiness. With a good bye kiss to her husband as he returned to his work, she rested her tired head upon the shoulder of her youngest ... daughters she closed her eyes gently with a last look of recognition and passed peacefully and consciously away.



The loved form, garbed in white, rested on a beautiful couch of ashes of roses covered over by numerous magnificent floral offerings, tokens of love and esteem of her host of friends. In conformity with her faith, wish and desire, no crepe was used; white typifying the Spiritual Birth. The Transition services were conducted by Mrs. Bessie Bellman, of Winfield, Kansas, and were in keeping with the beautiful conditions that prevailed thruout the illness and passing of the dear one.



There was no display of sorrow, for those who love her tenderly and devotedly are sustained by the knowledge that God doeth all things well and that in the transition of this loved one they have not lost a wife and mother but gained a guardian angel and thus the blessing comes to all.



Often she expressed her gratitude to the many friends whose sympathy and cheerful words made happy and peaceful her last days. In her transition the world has lost a high souled woman; her friends have lost a true and sincere friend; Spiritualism has lost a sincere and devout advocate; the fraternal orders have lost a faithful member. Her children shall miss a devoted and loving mother, her husband shall be conscious of the undying love and loyalty of a faithful companion and wife. All those who have known her intimately will be inspired by her example of life long love and self sacrifice for others.



And thus we can say of her:



She is not dead - she has but passed

Beyond the mists that blind us here

Into the new and larger life

Of God's serener sphere.

And sometimes when our hearts grow faint

Amid temptations fierce and deep,

Or when the wildly raging waves

Of grief or passion sweep

We'll feel upon our fevered brows

Her gentle touch, her breath of balm,

Her arms enfold us, and our hearts

Grow comforted and calm,

And ever near us the unseen,

The dear immortal spirits tread,

For all the boundless universe

Is life - there are no dead.



Her Daughter