Viola Beuning

Viola G. Beuning, age 96 of Melrose, formerly of St. Francis, died peacefully Saturday, September 6, 2008 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with Rev. Dale Ettel and grandson, Patrick H. Brake officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Parish prayers will be held at 6 p.m. followed by the St. Francis Christian Mothers Society at 7 p.m. Monday evening at the church.

Viola Beuning was born March 16, 1912 in St. Anthony, Minnesota to Hubert and Mary (Stoering) Cremers. On May 24, 1937 she was united in marriage to Lawrence Beuning at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony, Minnesota. The couple farmed in Millwood Township. She enjoyed quilting and embroidery, gardening, visiting with friends and family, and dancing to her favorite old time music.She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis and the St. Francis Sewing Circle. She was also member and former president of the St. Francis Christian Mothers Society.

Survivors include her children, Elvera (Jerry) Von Wahlde of Melrose, Helen (Ralph) Brake of Duluth, Mary Lou (Duane) Shay of Albany, Vern (Kathy) Beuning of St. Cloud, Bridget (Larry) Rinek of Santa Clara, California, Dale (Lawreen) Beuning of Fort Madison, Iowa, Dennis (Maureen) Beuning of Warner Robins, Georgia, Bonita (Steven) Donnay of Sauk Centre, Roger (Peggy) Beuning of Annandale, Rick (Carol) Beuning of Cleveland, Mississippi, and Greg Beuning of St. Cloud; 36 grandchildren; 63 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence Beuning on March 28, 1989; daughter, Helen Jane Beuning; grandson, Roderick Shay; and brothers, Alex and Eugene Cremers.

Serving as casket bearers will be Vern, Dale, Dennis, Roger, Rick, and Greg Beuning. Cross bearer will be Gertie Cremers and scripture bearer will be Judy Pundsack.