Maria Ann Beams

Maria "Ria" Ann (Ostrenga) Beams age 60, passed away on January 14, 2024 from breast cancer. She was born on November 19, 1963 to Zita Ann Ostrenga (Pac) and Eldor Mitchell Ostrenga. Maria grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin where she graduated from Southwest High School in 1982. She attended Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute (NWTI) where she met one of her dearest and lifelong friends, Michele Evrard. On October 6, 1989, she married Kevin Beams at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1994, she relocated to Plymouth, Minnesota; where she spent many years as a homemaker, while supporting her children, Bethany and Beau. She worked as an optician at Paye's Eye Design in Green Bay, WI and Walmart Vision Center in Eden Prairie, MN; and most recently in customer service at Lakewinds Food Co-op in Minnetonka, MN. Maria was committed to helping others nourish their bodies through food and inspired the use of more integrative ways of healing. She absolutely loved being a grandmother. Maria was a wonderful listener and exemplified a kindness for strangers. She loved animals, enjoyed watching movies, and reading.

She is survived by her children, Bethany (Sean) Kenny and Beau Beams; her grandchildren, Liam and Samuel Kenny; her aunts, Isabelle (Joe) Wojciechowski, Diane (Ronald) Sefcik, and Kathy (Buzzy) Ostrenga; her uncle, Ronald Sefcik; cousins; many friends; including but not limited to Tim and Mary Gantz; Kevin Beams; and other family members, Fran (Ray) Beams.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Zita and Eldor Ostrenga; her brother, David Ostrenga; her aunts, Mary (Eddie) Bogal and Rita (Teddy) Pac; her uncles, Darwin "Buzzy" Ostrenga, Joseph Pac, and Theodore "Teddy" Pac; her mother and father-in-law, Karen (Ray) Beams and Alva "Papa Ray" Beams.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to North Memorial Hospice, especially her nurse, Catherine; and all of the caregivers at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) who supported her and our family, including: Dr. Cox, Dr. Xie, Dr. Pereira, Shakilah, Nick, and Caroline.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at Nord Social Hall on Saturday, January 20th, 2024 from 10:30am - 2:00pm. A spiritual service will be held on-site from 11:00am - 12:00pm with hors d'oeuvres and drinks to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree or a plant for pollinators in her honor.