Cyrilla Beal

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, MN 56003
(507) 388-2288

Cyrilla Rose (Zwaschka) Beal breathed her last breath on January 5, 2017, at Keystone/New Perspectives Senior Living of Mankato, with family at her side. Cyrilla was born in Comfrey, MN on May 14, 1924, to John and Theresa (Helget) Zwaschka and was the youngest of eight children. She grew up on the family farm outside Comfrey, MN and graduated High School from Good Counsel Academy in 1941. In 1946, Cyrilla met William (Bill) Beal in Mankato, MN and they were married on April 12, 1947, in Sleepy Eye, MN. She resided in North Mankato from 1947 until 2014, when she moved to Keystone in Mankato.  Cyrilla was a well-loved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, and friend.

She is survived by: two sons, Robert (Susan) Beal of Lake of the Ozarks, MO; Daniel Beal of Minneapolis, MN; daughter-in-law, Sally Beal of North Mankato; five grandchildren, Katie (Erick) Bengtson of Minneapolis; Sara Beal of Tampa, FL; Derk Solko of Vancouver, WA; Angelyn Solko and Nick Saari of Portland, OR; and Adam Beal of New York, NY; six great-grandchildren, Cael and Brielle Bengtson, of Minneapolis; Anastazia and Elizabeth Florschutz of Tampa, FL; and Loren and McKenna Saari of Portland, OR.

Cyrilla and Bill made their home in North Mankato, where she was an active member of Holy Rosary Church since 1947. Over the years, she volunteered with the school’s lunch program, served as treasurer for the ladies sodality, sang in the choir and assisted the choir director, and served at funeral luncheons. Cyrilla worked at McGowan Water, JCPenney, and as a bookkeeper at Carlson Craft. Cyrilla lived alone in her own home until the age of 90, then moved to Keystone. She cherished her family and making memories with them. Holidays at her house were filled with laughter and love, stories and jokes, and an abundance of turkey and dressing. She never missed an opportunity to bake a birthday cake or a batch of cookies. Cyrilla enjoyed ballroom dancing and the many friendships she made through the years. She was known to spend her Thursdays going for lunch and shopping, followed by coffee and dessert with her friends, who could always rely on her to drive. Cyrilla’s positive outlook, cheerful smile and sense of humor were a blessing to all who knew her.

Cyrilla was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three sisters: Sr. Aleda-CSJ, Florence Windschitl, Dolores Mlazgar; four brothers: J. John, Alfred (Bud), Raymond, Leonard; and son, John Beal (in 2015).

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2017, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at Northview-Mankato Mortuary in North Mankato. A private burial will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice.