Genevieve Berning

Mass of Christian Burial for Genevieve Berning, age 86, will be held on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley, Minnesota. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 5-7:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a Rosary Service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the services on Friday. Father David Breu will officiate and burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Beardsley.

Genevieve Agnes Berning was born on January 14, 1926 in Barry, Minnesota to John and Esther (Skoog) Hendricks. She attended country schools and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1943. On October 4, 1944 Gen married Joseph Berning, Sr. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. To this union, five children were born.

Gen and Joe made their home on the farm near Beardsley until 1976, at which time they moved to town. In 1991, they moved to Clinton for a couple years, and then made their home in Graceville for 14 years. In 2008, after Joe's death, Gen moved to Browns Valley Care Center. While there, she renewed old friendships and made many new, dear friends. Gen and her family were so thankful for the care she received by the staff.

Gen was proud of the 27 years she was employed as an Outreach Worker for Big Stone County. She also attended the University of Minnesota, Morris for two summers in the early 1970s. Gen was a dedicated member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where she taught Catechism for 19 years. She also helped start the CCD classes. Gen received the Bishop's Medal for her work within the Catholic Church.

Gen's hobbies included reading, baking bread and pies, cooking, playing cribbage and other games. As a dog lover, a stray was never turned away from her home. Holidays and pheasant season were favorite times for her as family and friends were together.

A devoted mother to her children, Gen's grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her even more joy and she cherished every time the family gathered! She will be remembered for mentoring her family with her positive and loving demeanor.

Left with her memory are her children: Bonnie (David) Baysinger of Fairmont, MN; Joseph, Jr. (Deb) Berning of Ortonville, MN; Thomas (Mona) Berning of Willmar, MN; and Edward (Vicki) of Beardsley, MN;
Eight grandchildren: Angela (Rusty) McCormick, Lucas (Jenny) Baysinger, Jason (Shelly) Berning, Jennifer (Troy) Cronen, Casey (Erik) Dunker, T.J. (Lisa) Berning, Heather (Brent) Groos, and Hilary (Ryan) Nelson; and 14 great grandchildren: Madison, Ian, Drake, Grant, Reese, Tyce, Caleb, Gabi, Brady, Bella, Gavin, Griffin, Blake, and Aubrey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; her daughter, Sheryl; her granddaughter, Melissa Berning; her great granddaughter, Angel Cronen; her brothers, Edward and Raymond; and her sisters, Margie Schwagerl and Helen Ritter.

Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home of Browns Valley is in charge of services for Genevieve Berning. To send an electronic condolence, visit www.larsonfuneral.com.