Maria Claire (Kuenster) Beavers

Maria Claire (Kuenster) Beavers, age 27, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away on November 16, 2025. She was surrounded by love, with prayers whispered over her and hands holding hers.

Maria was determined, sharp witted and fiercely loyal to the people she loved. She was a force. She loved her dogs deeply and her dog Liza was a joy to her and anyone else who Liza insisted on getting pets from. She had a passion for traveling the world, concerts and gift-giving. She treasured time spent with family, especially cousin time at the cabin. She believed every day should end with ice cream.

Maria attended Highland Catholic School and Cretin-Derham Hall, and graduated from the University of Minnesota. She began a short but successful career in medical sales at ResMed.

In 2020, she was diagnosed with brain cancer, specifically D.I.P.G. She continually beat the odds, the “1%” by surviving 5 years past her initial diagnosis. She helped many other fellow D.I.P.G. patients and families and spoke at several large events as an advocate to raise funds and awareness. She generously took everyone on her difficult and tender journey through her CaringBridge journal posts.

Maria is survived by the love of her life, Cody Beavers, who she married one year ago. She is also survived by her parents, Tammy and Larry Kuenster; her sisters, Katie Yankovich (husband Jordan Yankovich and daughter Charlotte) and Caroline Kuenster; and her grandparents, Janet Henry, Kate Kuenster-Vogt, and Jim Vogt; in-laws Chad and Tonia Beavers and sister-in-law Kyndra Beavers.

Special thanks to her care team: Dr. Elizabeth Neil, Dr. Lindsey Sloan, Dr. Nick Vitanza (Seattle), and Dr. Ashley Plant (Chicago); to our Saint Paul community; to her many friends and family; to Father John Bauer and Father Dan Haugen; and end-of-life guidance from Christin Ament.

In honor of Maria, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Highland Catholic School, the Cristian Rivera Foundation or the Sean Ryan Memorial, organizations that celebrated and supported Maria in her fight against brain cancer.

A visitation will be held for Maria on Thursday, November 20th from 4-7pm at Lumen Christi Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the next day at Lumen Christi at 10am with an hour visitation prior. A private burial for immediate family will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.