Maureen "Beanie" Geris

Maureen Loretta Geris, known affectionately as Beanie, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, at the age of 83, in the loving embrace of her family. Born on February 18, 1941, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Beanie was one of eight children. Her family then moved to Alexandria, Minnesota. It was in Alexandria where she attended high school and began to lay the foundation of a life devoted to family and community.

 Beanie’s journey through life was marked by love and devotion. She married Glen Peterson, and together they welcomed three beautiful children: Bruce, Laurie, and Michael. Later, Beanie married Gerald Geris and expanded her family with two more daughters, Brenda and Vicki. Devoted to her family, Beanie dedicated her early years to nurturing her children, ensuring their upbringing was filled with love, laughter, and delicious home-cooked meals. Her passion for cooking and baking was legendary, and she delighted in sharing these culinary creations with family and friends. Professionally, Beanie made a significant impact in the community, working as the Office Manager at Alex Rubbish and Recycling for nearly 40+ years, where she built lasting friendships and truly loved her job. Even after her retirement at the age of 75, her work ethic and dedication remained unwavering. She also contributed her skills as a bookkeeper for Wildung Trucking for a number of years.

 Her unwavering commitment to her family remained central to her life, and she cherished every moment spent with her children and their families. Beanie was not just a mother; she was a second mother and grandmother to her many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews, always ready with open arms and an open heart. Her compassionate spirit and heart of gold, led her to help those in need, embodying the essence of kindness and generosity throughout her life. 

She is survived by her loving children, Bruce (Cindy) Peterson, Laurie (Curt) Flesner, Michael Peterson, Brenda (Chad) Beheng, Vicki (Jason) Sward; step-children, Chuck (Janice) Geris, Curt (Margo Niehaus) Geris, and Cindy (Dave Larson) Kluver; grandchildren, Erika (fiancé Nate Pederson) Peterson, Jason (Becky Mittleider) Peterson, Mandi (Chad) Dircks, Alison (fiancé Jon Tollakson) Flesner, Dylan (Laura) Larson, Justin (Mackenzie Bakeberg) Larson, Bryce (Madison Thun) Sward, Mallory Sward; Step-grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah) Geris, Brock Geris, Ryan Geris, Ashley (Garrett) Johnson, Emily Geris, Hunter Geris, and Cody Kluver; great grandchildren, Carrine, Liam, Novi, Josh, Madison, Cameron, Jameson, Lauren, Wyatt, Alisa, Garrison, Lollie, and Grafton; sisters, Marilyn (James) Johnson and Mary (Danny) Hjelm; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her grandsons, Cory Pierce and Isaac Kluver; brothers, Stanley Ofstedal, Ronald Ofstedal, Gerald Ofstedal, Roger Ofstedal, and her sister Marlyce Anderson. Maureen “Beanie” Loretta Geris leaves behind not just memories, but a legacy of love, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her family. She will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will forever shine brightly in the hearts of those she loved.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 11 AM at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Interment will be in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.