From Dave Kubiatowicz, LHS60 Site Manager.
Please see a new page "11th Hour Musings" under the "Deceased Classmates" page for an opportunity to make your voice heard in this Blog.
04.02.2025
From Ann Christiansen
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| Patty (Flynn) Kasey 2005 |
Sadly, we have learned that Patty Flynn Kasey passed away at Madonna Towers on Monday, March 31st (2025) Recently Patty has had a number different health challenges – suffering a stroke several years ago from which she “came back” quite successfully. More recently, a tumor was identified and subsequently, Patty had another stroke that resulted in the loss of her voice. With that, she was moved to a higher level of care at Madonna Towers in Rochester.
I have fond memories of a bunch of us walking home from St. John’s Grade School and later Lourdes High School (the “Westward” crowd) and Patty’s home was the first we came to – dropping her off as a walking partner, then Mary Ann Wera, then Sharon Hirman and Carol Cronin, Jannie Mc Carter, Martha Mayhood, Mary Beth Sitzer etc. etc. etc. Unless Tom Towey happened to be walking with us (usually he was NOT!!!), my stop on 14h Avenue, up from St. Mary’s Hospital was the last of our walking group home from school, the last 4 blocks were quite lonely. This was a very sweet ritual that I still look back on fondly and that I treasure. Consider what we took for granted!!! We would not have known that we were forming friendships that would last well over 80 years!
It was fun talking with Patty McCoy Carr about her friendship with Patty – they started kindergarten together at St. John’s Grade School and continued as school-mates through Junior High and into High School at Lourdes. Mr. Eichen and the Lourdes Band brought them closer as Patty played the Alto Sax and Pat McCoy the French Horm. Patty Flynn was of a caliber that she also played in the elite Jazz Combo!! After High School and some post HS education, Patty Flynn, Pat McCoy and Sharon Hirman all moved to Denver to find experiences beyond Rochester. Pat McCoy married a fellow from the service, and Patty Flynn was maid of honor in her wedding. Patty Flynn also married a “fellow from the service” also and soon baby Karla was on the way and they moved back to Rochester, later babies Paula and Dan were born. Patty’s professional work was part of the Mayo Clinic historical records/library department.
Over the years, Patty and Pat did cruises together and spent winter months together in Florida. Pat McCoy Carr said of Patty – “she was always part of my life. She was genuinely interested in people. She was such a good person. There were not a lot of people around like her.”
Eternal Bless unto you Patty Flynn Kasey . . . we celebrate the imprint your life has had on ours.
There will be a memorial service for Patty at St. Pius with visitation starting at 10 AM and Mass at 11 AM and luncheon following.
Be well dear friends.
Ann
Click here to see Patricia's obituary from Macken Funeral Home Rochester, MN:
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03.02.2025
From Ann Christiansen:
Greetings LHS Classmates,
Karen Horton Schultz put together this sweet memory of Marcia Vang Brogan who passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Thanks Karen!
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| Marcia and John Brogan, 50th LHS Reunion, August 2010 |
Theirs was a true love story. Marcia Vang and John Brogan dated in high School and married the year after we graduated. They resided in Rochester and raised their four children there. Marcia loved to take trips in their convertible. John would play tunes from our era and she would enjoy singing along; she knew all the words. As the years went by Marcia was diagnosed with alzheimer’s dementia, John took care of Marcia as long as he could though he himself was challenged with diabetics, many skin cancers and heart issues. Then the time came when the doctors told him he could not care for her any longer and he needed to put her in a memory facility. It was with heavy heart that he did that. He came to see her as often as he could. When Marcia became hospitalized this year the doctors suggested he contact Hospice. She was starting to fail. She got Co-vid and things went downhill from there. She is not suffering any more and she is with the angels in heaven!
Click here to see Marcia's obituary from Macken Funeral Home Rochester, MN:
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12-27-24
From Ann Christiansen:
Greetings LHS Class of 1960 friends --
We have lost yet another of our classmates - Bill Connelly. Be sure to read the obituary as it reminds us of the kind person Bill was! From a hugs family - farming and service was in his blood! And don't miss the end of the obituary -- Bill passed away on December 19th - his wife Dorothy joined him in the afterlife on December 21st!! Someting beautiful and tender there .
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| Dorothy & Bill from LHS 50th reunion in 2010 |
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7-21-23
From Ann Christiansen:
Dear Classmates --
It is with heavy heart that I inform you of Diane (Rieple) Henry’s passing Wednesday July 5, 2023. As many of you probably know she had been diagnosed with dementia/Alzheimer’s disease a number of years ago. At that time, she was living in Mesa, Arizona. Her children convinced her that it was time to move back to Minnesota to be closer to her family; they wanted her to be safe. She was small in stature but was very strong willed & liked to do things her way. It took some time for her to agree to the move. In Minnesota she lived in an assisted living/memory facility close to her family. She told us she felt like she was the Queen of Sheba. No household chores, no meals to make etc. With complications from a fall earlier this year and the return of her lung cancer she entered Hospice and began her journey home to the Lord.
She was so proud of her children and rightfully so. They saw to her every need. Well, almost every need. She asked where she could go dancing? We explained that due to Co-vid most places were not offering dancing; she was quite disappointed! She loved to dance & listen to & sing along with the songs of our youth (late 50’s & early 60’s). Her children & her brother brought her to Rochester to celebrate her birthday and several other times in 2021 & 22 as well. We are so thankful to them for that time with her. At one of our gatherings, she showed us her dance moves; she was amazing! We had our Diane back for a little while. Click on Line below to see Diane's Obituary.
Comments:
Karen (Horton) Schultz: Diane joined our class in second grade when her parents moved to Rochester from the Twin Cities. She became fast friends with Pat (McCoy) Carr that year and their friendship lasted her lifetime. I remember her even back then as being the girl with the most beautiful thick hair, big eyes and a smile and laugh that was contagious. The comment in our Eagles Senior Class Edition noted “Behind that innocent exterior hides a streak of mischief”! That was very true! She loved to have fun! In fact, she told many of us that she was going on to college to have FUN! She really made sure that she did too!
Two of my fondest memories of her are:
1. At the state catholic school’s basketball Tournament she thought it would be fun to put 7-up with an olive in a wine glass & pretend that we were having a cocktail at the bar in our suite at the hotel. Several cheerleaders reported to Mrs. Mayer that we were drinking and Mrs. Mayer called us out on that. Our chaperone, Bob Hand’s mother just laughed & assured Mrs. Mayer that the drink did not contain any liquor & offered to have us make her a drink. We laughed & laughed about that incident.
2. When we attended RJC and went to a Newman Club convention in the Twin Cities. When returning home, the heater in my car was not working and I had to leave a window open so the windshield didn’t fog up; it was the worst snow storm of the decade. I’m driving, Sharon (Singfiel) Riess is riding shotgun & saying her rosary. Diane was in the back seat, unconcerned & bent on reading the end of the article in her “True Romance” Magazine. Dave Kubiatowicz was able to secure a copy from Amazon which we presented to her at our 50th Class Reunion; we had quit a laugh about that. There was never a dull moment when you were with Diane; she lived life to its fullest, she will be missed but definitely not forgotten. Lord, take care of our Friend Diane. Am sure she is probably dancing in the clouds as I write this note.
Anyone wishing to send her family a card or note to Diane’s Family can do so by addressing it to her daughter:
The family of Diane Henry
C/O Susan Erickson
22004 Jason Avenue North
Forest Lake, MN 55026
God Bless & Love to all,
Karen
Martha Mertz: So sorry for all these losses but I am grateful that Ann has kept us informed and also grateful for Karen’s recollections. We had a very spirited class. Thanks so much. Marth
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From Ann Christiansen: Dear Classmates --
In less than a month, we have lost 3 of our Lourdes Class of 1960 classmates. Our most recent loss is Celie (Hick) Majeres who died June 30th after a brief battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Her funeral is Wednesday July 5th in Macomb, IL. Her obituary is found at the link below
Celie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at Christmas time. She has been on Chemo therapy but a couple of week ago the doctors informed her that it was inoperable. Celie decided to stop the Chemo and went on Hospice care.
Celie and Ray lived in Macomb, IL. They have one daughter, Lisa, who lives in Nashville. Lisa was going this weekend to be with Ray and make the final arrangements.
Marcy (Fleischer) Groteboer shared some very fond memories of Celie from our time at Lourdes, Rochester Junior College and Mankato State and I'm passing them on to you
"She was very bright and was so organized and such a good worker. She was co-salutatorian of our class and had a big part in producing our school newspaper at Lourdes. She was Editor her Senior Year. She also worked on the school paper at RCC. Most everyone will remember that her favorite color was Purple and we had a lot of fun with that.
In these past few years at Macomb, Celie was very active in her church. She also learned to play the ukulele. She was part of a group that played for the senior citizens and at the local nursing homes.
Rest in Peace, Celie ! A Beautiful Soul has gone to play music with the Angels ! -- Marcy"
Marcy said it so beautifully -- Rest in Peace Celie, Mike, Pat and all of our 40+ other classmates who have gone before us.
Be well -- keep in touch!
Ann
Comments:
Mike Vath: Very sad indeed. JoAnn also knew her from JC. Prayers for the family.
Bill McNiff: Celie was a great person. In JCC both she and I were approached about the editorship of the paper as I had been the editor in chief of the John Marshall paper, but with my involvements with wrestling and theatre, it made sense for her to be the editor, and she did a great job with it, I admired her a great deal
Tom Payne: I was a classmate of Cecelia at Sacred Heart in Boone Iowa, a city of 12,000 in those days. Her family moved to Rochester in 1956, after our eighth grade. A year later, my family moved to Rochester, and Cecelia and I were classmates during our sophomore, junior, and senior high-school years. She was a very gracious, bright, and competent person. She was a delightful classmate and will now be missed.
Paula Larson: I fondly remember Celie. She always loved purple, was a bright young woman, usually had a ponytail and such a nice person! 💗
Tom Lyke: Such sad news. Celie is truly a special classmate. I remember Celie directing the construction of our "Galaxy of Stars" float in her parents SE Rochester driveway.
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6-25-23
From Ann Christiansen: Greetings friends --
Sad news again with the passing on Saturday, June 23, 2023 of our LHS 1960 classmate, Pat Goodman. Below is a link to his obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/patrick-goodman-obituary?id=52317608
Pat was a quiet fellow and generally did not join us for class reunions etc. So it is insightful to read his obituary and hear of his sense of humor and his military service and his career as the owner of an auto repair business. A number of classmates maintained a connection with Pat over the years. Bruce Schaefer shared several fun memories including riding with Rich Krumpelman in Pat's1949 Studebaker (with back doors opening opposite of today's models). According to Bruce, he and Rich would hang out the back windows while Pat drove his paper route -- Bruce and Rich pitching the newspapers hither and yon! Bruce also recalled the Norton motorcycle that Pat owned and that he was attracted to all things mechanical. Bruce mentioned that Pat could fix anything!!
We are sorry to lose another of our classmates but find comfort in sharing memories.
Be well.
Ann
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Photos: Ann Christiansen is mailing me a flash drive of some or her 80th Bash photos and a bunch of photos taken by Jim Walsh (husband of Ann Wieseler). I will post some of them in this Blog in the near future. Thanks very much! Dave Kubiatowicz
Sad news again with the passing on Saturday, June 23, 2023 of our LHS 1960 classmate, Pat Goodman. Below is a link to his obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/patrick-goodman-obituary?id=52317608
Pat was a quiet fellow and generally did not join us for class reunions etc. So it is insightful to read his obituary and hear of his sense of humor and his military service and his career as the owner of an auto repair business. A number of classmates maintained a connection with Pat over the years. Bruce Schaefer shared several fun memories including riding with Rich Krumpelman in Pat's1949 Studebaker (with back doors opening opposite of today's models). According to Bruce, he and Rich would hang out the back windows while Pat drove his paper route -- Bruce and Rich pitching the newspapers hither and yon! Bruce also recalled the Norton motorcycle that Pat owned and that he was attracted to all things mechanical. Bruce mentioned that Pat could fix anything!!
We are sorry to lose another of our classmates but find comfort in sharing memories.
Be well.
Ann
6-2-2023
7-4-22 Happy 4th of July!!From Ann Christiansen: Greetings LHS Friends --
Sadly, our classmate, Mike McConnell has lost his battle with cancer. Mike died Monday, May 29th at Season's Hospice House in Rochester, MN where he lived since last fall. Mike was always a friendly guy who kept close tabs on our many classmates (probably more than you realized!!). It was Mike that suggested we celebrate members of LHS Class of '60 turning 80!!And we took him up on that idea last fall. Unfortunately, Mike was already too ill with his cancer to attend. The comforting news is that Mike's final days were "good ones" as he had a cadre of friends that visited often . . . and many a game of "500" plus a few stories were shared.
Mike's Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 11 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN with visitation one hour prior.
Photos: Ann Christiansen is mailing me a flash drive of some or her 80th Bash photos and a bunch of photos taken by Jim Walsh (husband of Ann Wieseler). I will post some of them in this Blog in the near future. Thanks very much! Dave Kubiatowicz
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6-26-22
6-18-22
Congrats Tom Lyke Running Grandma's Marathon 6-18-2022! Click on image below to make it a bit larger.
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6-26-22
Greetings everyone --
Many of us are still in the clouds from a wonderful "LHS Class of 1960-Turns 80 Birthday Bash" this past weekend. The Smith-Bartels Ranch was the perfect spot for our gathering. A huge thanks to Jim and Susie Bartels and to Kathy Bartels Lauer for all of their preparations and for making us feel so welcome.
We had a great turnout but also missed many that were not able to be with us. Hoping you will make lots of efforts to keep in touch with friends from the past. Attached (in a separate email but not here) is an updated list of addresses, emails and phone numbers for our classmates.
PLEASE let us know when you have a change in address, phone or email and we will regularly update others.
If you missed our wonderful reunion, why don't you pick up the phone and call a classmate and get caught up on our fabulous gathering -- or just get caught up.
Ann Christiansen
Also, if you have some photos of the 80th Bash you would like to share on this site, send them to your humble Blog keeper.
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6-22-22
Friday night plans (Charlie's) and reminders for LHS Class of 1960 80th Birthday-Bash
Ann Christiansen
Greetings LHS Class of 1960 –
It's looking like a great turnout with classmates coming to our reunion from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Canada, Illinois and of course Minnesota.
For Rochester folks and all those arriving on Friday, there will be an informal social gathering at 6:00 PM:
Charlie's Eatery and Pub
1654 - US Hwy 52 North
Rochester, MN 55901
Plan to order your dinner and drinks and join us at Charlies!
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6-18-22
Congrats Tom Lyke Running Grandma's Marathon 6-18-2022! Click on image below to make it a bit larger.
6.6.22
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Greetings LHS Class of 1960 –
It's looking like a great turnout with classmates coming to our reunion from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Canada, Illinois and of course Minnesota. There is still time to register for our "class of '60 turns 80 Birthday Bash!"
Ann Christiansen
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5-25-22
Deadline approaching for LHS Class of 1960 80th Birthday-Bash - Register NOW
From: Ann Christiansen
Greetings LHS Class of 1960 –
The deadline is fast approaching for our LHS class of 1960's exciting 80th Birthday Bash to celebrate this momentous birthday-year when we all become 80 years young! Also a reminder that a limited number of rooms are reserved for our group at Comfort Inn & Suites. See the attached flyer. Please return your registration for the birthday Bash by June 9th. See the details in the 4.18.22 News below.
LHS Class of 1960 80th Birthday Bash and Picnic.
Casual Attire & “sensible shoes!”
Saturday, June 25th - 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Rain or Shine!!
Hosted by Kathy (Bartels) Lauer and her brother Jim and his wife Susie at
The Smith-Bartels Ranch near Rochester
5008 – 60th Street S. W.
Rochester, MN 55902
Click on map below to see a larger version.
04.18.22
From Ann Christiansen: Greetings LHS Class of 1960 – Note: Ann sent this notice as an email to all LHS60 class members who had an email addresses.
Earlier this year we promised you more details about our exciting 80th Birthday Bash to celebrate this momentous birthday-year when we all become 80 years young! Here are those promised details:
LHS Class of 1960 80th Birthday Bash and Picnic.
Casual Attire & “sensible shoes!”
Saturday, June 25th - 2:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Rain or Shine!!
Hosted by Kathy (Bartels) Lauer and her brother Jim and his wife Susie at
The Smith-Bartels Ranch near Rochester
5008 – 60th Street S. W.
Rochester, MN 55902
Directions to the Bartels – Smith Ranch:
Heading South on Highway 52 (from near Apache Plaza), take Exit 54B onto Salem Road (County Road 22). In approximately 1.1 miles – Turn Left onto Bamber Valley Road (County Road 8). In approximately 6 miles – Turn Right onto 60th Street SW.; it eventually becomes the driveway for the Bartels – Smith Ranch: 5008 – 60th Street S. W., Rochester, MN 55902
OR
From the Comfort Inn & Suites - Drive South (Left) on West Circle Drive. Turn right onto Bamber Valley Road (County Road 8). In approximately 6 miles – Turn Right onto 60th Street SW.; it eventually becomes the driveway for the Bartels – Smith Ranch: 5008 – 60th Street S. W., Rochester, MN 55902
2:00 PM Gather in this idyllic setting outside Rochester to socialize and renew lifelong friendships. Soft drinks and snacks provided. BYOB if you wish beer or wine instead.
4:00 PM A lavish picnic spread is provided, catered from Gleason’s in Stewartville
Hot Pork Sandwiches - add BBQ sauce as you wish
Hot Turkey Sandwiches - add BBQ sauce as you wish
Potato Salad
Marinated Vegetable & Pasta Salad (Vegetarian)
Cole Slaw
Birthday Cup-cakes – of course
Cost: $22.00 per-person. Please complete the attached registration form* and return it by Thursday, June 9th to:
Ann Christiansen
1495 Waterford Drive
Golden Valley, MN 55422
*Click on the link below to download the "2022 Registration Form" in to your computer's "Download" folder and open and print it from there. It is a Microsoft docx file.
The Smith-Bartels Ranch is phenomenal – you won’t want to miss it. And you won’t want to miss the LHS Class of ‘60 – 80th Birthday Bash! Worth noting: This will probably be the last “officially planned” in-person reunion for the class of 1960.
We hope you will plan to come early for the weekend and stay in Rochester as your schedule allows. A suite of rooms has been reserved at Comfort Inn and Suites. Please see the attached information about making reservations there. We encourage you to set up your own informal gatherings throughout the weekend.
We are communicating only via email. No snail-mail notices will be sent. Please share the news with non-email folks.
Karen has put together this wonderful description of the Smith-Bartels Ranch:
Three Hundred Fifty Acres of Nature at its best. That’s exactly what the Smith-Bartels Ranch is. On the property you can see part of an original Stagecoach Stopover – several walls of limestone remain. The barn we will be using for our 80th Birthday Bash is unlike any other and ready for whatever weather Minnesota delivers; it’s insulated, has a kitchen, even a fireplace and a heater for cooler weather. They have plenty of picnic tables and banquet tables and a lot of other amenities that most barns don’t have. The property has a cold-water spring just behind the barn and can even pump water to provide it for their home. If it is too warm you can cool yourself off by dipping your toes in the creek that runs through the property. (No swimming as we will not have a lifeguard on duty!!!) A walk around the property you will find a small town that Jim has built which sports a Generals Store, Bank (outhouse for deposits), Jail, Saloon and a Blacksmith Shop – ideal for great pictures. The Bartels also have many horse trails that they maintain for trail rides as well. It’s like a Wonder-filled State Park that most will never get to see! JOIN US FOR A GREAT AFTERNOON IN THE OUTDOORS!
We look forward to seeing you in June,
Ann
Note: To send an email to Karen, Marcy or Ann, just click on the one of the boxes below.
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01.29.2022
Greetings LHS Class of 1960 –
This is a momentous year that begs for celebration as we turn 80 years young! Several of us are planning an 80th Birthday Bash and want you to save the date and plan to join us in Rochester this summer.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
LHS Class of 1960 80th Birthday Bash
Saturday, June 25th, 2022
Hosted by Kathy (Bartels) Lauer and her brother Jim and his wife Susie
Pig-Roast & Picnic at the
Smith-Bartels Ranch near Rochester
More details, time and directions will be sent in the coming months. We will need you to RSVP and to contribute to food costs.
The Smith-Bartels Ranch is phenomenal – you won’t want to miss it. And you won’t want to miss the LHS Class of ‘60 – 80th Birthday Bash!
We will be communicating via email. Please share the news with non-email folks.
Be well,
Karen (Horton) Schultz
Marcy (Fleischer) Groteboer
Ann (Joyce) Christiansen
Ann Christiansen
christiansen1495@comcast.net
C=763-360-1331
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12.6.2021 Another Classmate Death via email to Ann Christiansen. "This is Karen Schraad, Sharon Gatzke's daughter-In-Law. I'm sad to inform you that Sharon passed away on Wednesday, December 1st while in the Highlands Nursing home in Owasso, OK under the care of Hospice."
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| Sharon and Husband Del in 2010 |
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11.29.2021 Sad news from Ann Christiansen (via son Mike) that (gentle spirit) Bob Hand died peacefully Wednesday November 24, 2021.
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| Bob and Grandkids 2015 |
