Viviana "Vi" Beuning, age 84, of Mahnomen, MN, died Thursday, June 18, 2020, surrounded by her family.

Viviana "Vi" Emellia Geray Beuning was born on December 1, 1935, in Beaulieu, MN, to Joseph and Mary (Kaster) Geray.  Vi was the fourth of eleven children and grew up on a small rural farm.  As a youth, she enjoyed being outdoors and helping her father with the family farm.  Vi, like most family farm siblings, derived a tremendous work ethic that she carried with her throughout her life.

Vi went to high school in Crookston, MN, at Mount St. Benedict.  After high school she moved to St. Cloud, MN, where she attended St. Cloud Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1957.   While attending college, she met her future husband, James A. Beuning, who had recently finished his tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps.  Jim and Vi were married in November of 1958.

Vi worked for a time at St. Cloud Hospital until her oldest child, Susan, was born.  The family moved from St. Cloud to Crookston, then from Crookston to Roseau, until settling permanently in Mahnomen, where she and Jim raised their 9 children.

When her youngest daughter went to school, Vi, who had been working part-time at the Mahnomen Hospital and Mahnomen Nursing Center, applied for, and was hired as the director of nursing at the Mahnomen Nursing Home.  Vi was tasked with the administration function at the nursing home but her sincere pleasure was working with the patients.  She held her position as Director of Nursing for 21 years until her retirement.

Vi, as a hobby and out of necessity, enjoyed sewing and embroidering.  She was an avid fisherwoman and snowmobiler.  The couple also loved to travel, vacationing in Mexico, Nevada, Texas, New York, Connecticut, and Florida.  They also spent wonderful times traveling in their RV during the winter months.  Arizona was their ultimate RV winter destination where they spent many enjoyable hours with family and friends. She was an exceptional grandmother to her many grandchildren, remembering every birthday and holiday with a loving card and note.  Vi will be missed by her husband of 62 years, Jim, her nine children, and all of her grandchildren.

Vi is survived in death by her husband, James A. Beuning; children:  Susan Weathers, John Beuning, Craig (Kathrine) Beuning, Mary (Lee) Bryntesen, Lisa (Pat) Wilson, Jeffry (Lisa) Beuning, Jean Beuning, Joy Beuning and Amy (Phil) Pacchiana. Viviana was survived by siblings: Hyacinth, Geraldine, Marie, Chrysantha, Joseph, Reinald and Veronica; and many loving grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. she is preceded in death by her children, Mark and Marie (twins); parents, Joseph and Mary; along with sisters: Maggie, Arla and Rita.

Jim and his family would like to extend a special note of thanks to Vi's sisters, Marrietta Geray and Marie Plante for their selfless assistance with Vi after it was necessary to move her to a memory care facility in St. Cloud.  Their kindness, compassion and amazing support will always be remembered by her family as a gift from the Lord.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 22, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN.  Visitation will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2020, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at the church. Interment will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.

Following all safety protocols due to COVID-19 restrictions, St. Michael's Church is able to seat up to 120 individuals for the Funeral Mass.   All must wear a mask to participate at a public Mass at St. Michael's Church.