Maureen S. Mathre

Maureen “Beany” Mathre, 72, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at her residence.  Her Celebration of Life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton, ND.  There will be a visitation one hour prior.  Rene’ Hasbargen will officiate the service.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Maureen Sylvelin Mathre, better known as “Beany”, was born on July 29, 1951, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, to Martin and Mary Margaret (Moore) Mathre.  She attended school in Park Rapids, MN, and Silver Bay, MN, and would graduate from high school in 1969 in Glencoe, MN.  She was known for her vivacious personality and free-spirited, hippie nature.  She had a larger-than-life presence that filled every room she entered. 

Beany’s adventurous nature brought her to a commune in Copper Canyon NM with her first-born daughter, Talitha.  After 3 years, Beany returned to Minnesota with Talitha to be closer to family.  She began her nursing career as an LPN and continued her education to become a registered nurse.  Her special area of practice was with the elderly and with her gift of gab and caring nature she was much beloved by staff and patients.

Beany loved music of all sorts and had planned to go to the first WEFest held in Detroit Lakes, MN, but couldn’t, due to the birth of her second daughter, Ayla.  After that, she attended the next 20 years of the well-known music festival with her group of friends named the “Corner Gang”. 

Being a free spirit, she had special loves in her life, but Beany was never married.  One special person, Ron Peterson, had her heart for 20 years.  He was the closest to tame the free-spirited hippie.

Beany was an avid collector of many things, with rocks being at the top of the list.  She was a veracious reader, and also enjoyed gardening, mowing the lawn, bonfires, and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. 

Above all else, family and friends were her sustenance.  She gave more than she received - dependable, trustworthy, great storyteller, the “go to” person.

Maureen “Beany” is survived by her daughters, Talitha and Ayla Mathre; grandchildren, Shane Mathre, Hammer Emarine, and Johnny Emarine; great-granddaughter, Josie; sister, Mary Lynn Mathre; brother, Michael Mathre; nieces and nephews, Aubrey Carter, Melissa Diltz, Luke (Lisa) Dougherty, Sam (Nicole) Dougherty, Meagan (Justin) Paumer; great-nieces and nephews, Jade, Nick, Rowan, Amelia, Max, Alena, Nora, Braelyn, and Chase.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Mary Margaret; youngest sister, Melanie Mathre; and a younger brother, Mark Mathre.