Catherine Gertrude Roehl

Catherine Roehl, age 89, of Foreston, died January 22, 2009 at Milaca Elim Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM Monday, January 26 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Foreston with Fr. Jim Remmerswaal, OSC officiating. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 – 5 PM Sunday at the church. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca. Catherine Gertrude Roehl was born September 23, 1919 in Foley, MN to Alexander and Mary Ann (Biederman) Brunn. In early adulthood, she worked for various families, helping with housework and laundry and as a nurses aide at the Milaca Hospital. In her younger days she loved to dance the shottish. She married Richard Roehl on May 25, 1948 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Foreston. Catherine and Richard farmed all of their married years until their retirement. She also sold Fuller Brush, Shaklee and Neo Life Products. She belonged to the McKinley Homemakers Group and the St. Louis Church Christian Women’s Group. Catherine will be remembered for her wonderful homemade breads and carmel rolls and for Sunday dinners of chicken and bakes beans. In recent years, Catherine and Richard enjoyed many games of Racko and Kings in the Corner. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May 2008. Catherine was endearingly named “Little Mama” by her children. Her spunky comments brought great joy and laughter to many. She loved to eat sweets, especially Little Debbies. She is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Sharon (Neil) Henry of Sauk Rapids, Marie (John) Wirth of Sauk Rapids, Susan (Mark) Orvik of New Prague, Timothy Roehl of Foreston and Carol (Jim) Johnson of Sauk Rapids; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Hildegard O’Neil of Foley and Margaret Roehl of Foreston; brother, Jim Brunn of Conrad, MT; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Tom; sisters, Agnes Baron, Amelia Kolbinger, Clara Cadwell, Mary Tittle and Laura Freecheck and brothers, Ben Brunn, Frank Brunn and Leo Brunn.