Geraldine M. Savage

In loving memory of our dear mother, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma Geraldine "Beanie" Marie Savage born July 4,1937, who unexpectedly passed away on July 1, 2024, at approximately 5:10 p.m., after a sudden illness at the Franciscan Health Center.
Geraldine "Beanie" was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Donald Wayne "Tony" Savage; mother, Josette G. Diver; auntie/friend", Gloria Bimberg; special friend/uncle Chuck Diver; special brother-in-law Gerald "Jerry" Savage; special friends, Faye Diver and Judy Northrup; grandsons, Richard Smith and Jay Smith and granddaughter, Karrie Smith.
"Beanie" is survived by her loving sons, Clarence "Chuck" Edward, "son" Smith (Neesee), Ronald Joseph "JR" "son" Smith, Tony Lee "son/dunny boy" Savage, daughters, Barbara Jean "Barb", "Bubby Dean" Bennett, Carol Marie "Care" Smith (caregiver/loving best friend forever), special brother in law Russell Savage (Linda), special uncle, Dee Diver (Maureen), Adrienne (Dixie) Dibble (like a sister), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, relatives and friends from the Fond du Lac Reservation, "Cleveland", Ohio, Duluth, MN and south and north Minneapolis MN area.
"Beanie" was a very, very proud Fond du Lac Reservation Tribal band member, she truly loved her entire family, loved and respected her indigenous culture, she thoroughly enjoyed and loved cooking, baking, canning fruits, jams and vegetables and planting flower in her little flower gardens. She truly loved reminiscing about growing up in "the good ol' days" on the rez, playing made up games such as "Annie, Annie I over", swimming in the "crick", eating traditional foods at home and at many cultural gatherings.
"Beanie" had the most beautiful outgoing and friendly personality and genuinely loved everyone. She was an avid football and baseball fan who loved and faithfully watched the Minnesota Vikings football games with family where she also attended many Minnesota Twins baseball games while living in Minneapolis with her husband, "Don" and family. She was very involved in the Elders Concern Group and enjoyed the friendships made and loved attending powwows.
"Gramma Beanie" also enjoyed watching cooking shows, assembling puzzles, doing word scrambles, reading and playing scrabble. She genuinely loved people of all walks of life whom she felt a much compassion for. She was also a faithful and devoted monetary contributor to "Our Boys", the American military U.S. "Veterans" by selflessly making financial contributions for many, many years.
"Gramma Beanie" genuinely loved her many ("so many, I lost count" she would say with her warm, loving smile) grandchildren she spent much family time with, she treasured, adored and selflessly nurtured each and every one of them, to no end. She also enjoyed going to the casino with her family, dining in the buffet, going to Coney Island, the local Hong Kong restaurant, thrift stores and garage sales.
Our mom and Gramma, and special friend will be tremendously missed by all who were blessed by her presence and those who knew her, but especially by her loving, devoted and caring family. We wish to thank everyone for their sincere prayers, genuine kindness and love that was expressed to our selfless dear "angel of a loving mother and gramma" throughout her entire life, including the recent hospital/ nursing home care and concern kindly expressed throughout, for her journey back "home".
An Evening wake will be held Friday, July 5, 2024, at Nelson Funeral Care from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will continue Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Cloquet with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Service.
Mom, Gramma Beanies "Traveling Song" will be sung at her burial site, next to the church and sung by special cousin Mike Munnell and drum group, directly after the Holy Family church service.