Mary Vivodale Hawkins

MARY VIVODALE HAWKINS, age 98 of Waseca died peacefully in her sleep at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems of Mankato on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.

Born on October 3, 1918 in Waterville, Minnesota, Vivodale was the daughter of Herbert and Josephine (Leaon) Beach.  She grew up in Waterville and graduated from Waterville High School in 1936.  After graduation she worked as a hired housekeeper and a sales clerk.  On October 10, 1944, Vivodale and John Leo “Red” Hawkins of Waldorf were married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.  She moved to Waldorf where she and Red farmed and raised their family.  After 35 years of farming, they retired to Waseca in 1979.  

Vivodale enjoyed being with her family, vacations to northern Minnesota, traveling, playing cards with friends and family and especially watching the Minnesota Twins.

She is survived by four daughters, Laurel (Jerry) Wrought of Rochester, Germaine (Paul) Kragh of Mankato, Jolene (Loren Voigt) Hawkins of Eagan, and Barbara Grotberg and David Elias of Waseca; grandchildren, Ann (Ken) Schmit and their children, Cole, McKenna, Karissa, and Carter of Altura, Matthew Wrought of Rochester, Erin Kragh (Brent Christopherson) of Mankato, Angie Grotberg and her children, Kinley, Jaxon, and Sawyer of Waseca, Kristen Voigt (Richard Ouradnik) of Apple Valley; and granddaughter-in-law, Jenny Wrought of Rochester.  She is also survived by sister-in-law, Marilyn Beach of Waterville; her lifelong best friend, Lorraine Swenson of Waseca; and Marilyn Cook of Blaine who was like a daughter to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant son; step-mother, Barbara Beach; half-brother, Herbert Beach; and grandson, Michael Wrought.

Her family would like to send a very special thanks to Sherry Volkmann and Kesi Herschman whom she loved very much and whose care and love enriched her life.  Thanks also to the staff at Lake Shore Inn for their care of Vivodale over the past year and to the 4th floor staff of Mayo Clinic Health Systems of Mankato for their wonderful recent care.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.   Visitation will be held on Friday from 11:30 AM until the time of services at the church.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Community Cemetery in Waldorf.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Church of Waseca or St. Joseph’s Church in Waldorf for perpetual care of the community cemetery.

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