Virginia M. McGeary, age 101, Benson
Virginia M. McGeary, age 101, of Benson, died Friday, October 25, 2013 at the Southview Manor Home in Benson. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 2, 2013, at the Visitation Catholic Church in Danvers, with Father William Sprigler officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Friday, November 1st, at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, with a Rosary at 4:45 PM. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the Visitation Catholic Church in Danvers on Saturday.
Virginia Magdalen McGeary was born on June 13, 1912 in Wellington Township, Renville County, Minnesota, the daughter of William Aloyssius and Rebecca Melvina (Rivard) Coleman. She was baptized in June of 1912, by Father John Gergon at the St. Andrews Catholic Church in Fairfax, Minnesota, and confirmed in October of 1923, by Father W. J. Stewart at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Minneota, Minnesota. She grew up in Minneota, Lyon County, Minnesota. Virginia attended Minneota Grade and High School, Mankato Teachers, and University of Minnesota in Morris, completing her Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. On November 19, 1942, Virginia was united in marriage with James Cornelius McGeary by Father Phillip Casey at St. Edward’s Catholic Church. This union was blessed with five children and more than 24 years of marriage. Virginia worked under WPA in 1933 and taught school in Lyon County and Swift County for 32 years. She was a Girl Scout Leader in 1935. Her first teaching job was at the country school south of Marshall, Minnesota. Two years later, in 1937, she came to Danvers, Minnesota, and taught in the Danvers School until it closed. She was a wonderful housewife as well. Virginia belonged to the MEA, REAM (retired educators), a Girl Scout Leader, and the Danvers Youth Council. She enjoyed crocheting, playing cards, and reading. Virginia was called from this life on Friday, October 25, 2013, at the Southview Manor Home in Benson. She attained 101 years, 4 months, and 12 days of age.
Virginia is survived by her children: Michael Charles McGeary of Phoenix, AZ, Rebecca Agnes McGeary Mahle of Willington, DE, William Patrick McGeary (Dianne) of Benson, MN, and Jerome Philip McGeary (Patricia) of Danvers, MN; 9 grandchildren: Sarah Kay DeHaan, Ryan M. McGeary, Megan Mahle, Laura McGeary, Daniel McGeary, Maureen Mahle, Erin Selix, Robert McGeary, and Amanda Bengtson; 15 great-grandchildren: Morgan DeHaan, Brennden DeHaan, Bryton McGeary, Brady DeHaan, Haydn McGeary, Cole Selix, Molly Selix, Quinn Selix, Libby McGeary, Mya McGeary, Mason McGeary, Roman Cincilla, Vera Cincilla, Victor Cincilla, and Eli McGeary; and sister, Rebecca Loegering of Plymouth, MN. She was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Husband, on October 25, 1967, 3 brothers: Everette Coleman, John William (Jack) Coleman, and John Rivard Coleman, in infancy; son, Richard James McGeary, sister, Phyllis Buysse, son-in-law, Philip Mahle; and daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen McGeary.
