Funeral services for Bernadette "Beanie" Mata, of Minneapolis, MN, will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Elkhorn Congregational Church in Little Eagle. Burial will follow at the Elkhorn Congregational Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Bernadette passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

An all-night wake will begin at 5:00 pm, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Bernadette “Beanie” Mata was born on May 17th, 1971, in Fort Yates, North Dakota to Leandro and Nina Mata. She grew up and was raised in Minneapolis alongside her siblings and family. She gave birth to two handsome sons, Travis and Raul, who blessed her with four beautiful grandchildren: Myla, Mnihaha, Layanna, and Christian. She loved them with her whole heart. Beanie was the life of the party. She loved to listen to music, and you could often find her in the kitchen playing music and visiting with her friends and family. She loved to dance cumbia in her younger days and loved to cook Mexican food. She met and knew so many people throughout her life. If you knew her, you were her friend; she always remembered you. She will be loved and missed forever.

Preceded in death by her parents, Leandro and Nina Mata. Son Travis James Varney Jr. Brothers Michael and James “Cletus” Mata. Sisters Pamela Mata and Marquita Sims. Her niece Danita Mata. Special friend Ron Renelds.

She is survived by her son Raul Mata. Sister Jamie Mata. Brother Daniel (Amber) Mata, David (Dawn) Mata and Lance Mata. Aunties Lavina Long Elk and Rosa Mata. Uncle Adrian Kills Crow. Grandchildren Myla and Mnihaha Varney, Layanna and Christian Mata. Many nieces and nephews Rosa, Lexus, Khloe, Lecia, Kayleena, Andrea, Jessica, Monica, Mikey, Bobby, Jake, Freddy, Antonio, Diego, Leandro “Nacho”, Javi and many more nieces and nephews. Special friend Jose Clark.