Viva May McGonigle, 87, of Austin, Minn., died Friday evening, Jan. 3, 2014, in the home of her daughter, Gloria, in Rochester, Minn. She was born April 13, 1926, to James and Maude (Sweazey) Wentzel in Oakland Township, Mower County, Minn. She was raised in Austin. She married Cecil McGonigle on Aug. 21, 1942, in Glendale, Calif. Cecil was on active duty overseas and Viva moved back to Austin. She and Cecil lived there the rest of their lives in the same house for 67 years. Viva was a housewife who loved her family and pets — many cats and a bunny named Harvey. She was an outstanding needlewoman. She loved taking care of her husband, children and grandchildren. Everyone who came to her house was offered candy, a bag of chips and a full meal. She loved entertaining large groups. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years and led her troop in many adventures. She also worked part-time at the Austin Daily Herald and was a member of Crane Community Chapel.

Survivors include daughters, Gloria Bahr, of Rochester; Gail (Bruce) Lunde, of Merrifield, Minn.; son, Michael (Linda) McGonigle, of East Moline, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Brian (Deb) Bahr, Erin (Kennan) Kroll, Daniel (Emily) McGonigle, Mesa Watson (Stanley Flowers), Tara McGonigle, Kjirstin Bingel, Jori (Scott) Shore, Gretchen (Chad) Bill; 22 great-grandchildren, Stephinee, Noah, Caleb, Gabriel, Sahnje, Seth, Sean, Nick, Mason, Evan, Hannah, Ezra, Sierra, Elijah, Chris, Aiden, Ethan, Mackenzie, Hailey, Ethan, Kaelyn and Devin; sisters, Dixie Wytaske of Lansing, Nettie Greenman of Rock Island, Illinois; brothers James Wentzel, of Bishop, Ga.; Robert Wentzel, of Austin; and Guy (Debbie) Wentzel ,of Duluth; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil; parents, Jim and Maude Wentzel; sisters, Gloria Wentzel, Jessie McGonigle, and Dorothy Theuer; brothers, Dave “Bud” and Paul Wentzel.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, at Crane Community Chapel with Pastor Dale Christiansen, officiating. Interment will follow the service in Grandview Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com. Services prearranged and performed by the Worlein Funeral Home.