Dear Esteemed Johnny and Bennie Readers (and all you others Not-So-Esteemed too),
I'm beginning this relatively brief Lenten issue of the Unofficial Underground News just before the Purple Season actually starts. Instead of going out on Fat Tuesday evening for some Mardi Gras excess and acting like a fool, I'm sitting right here on the computer...acting like a fool.
This is either the 16th or 17th year of the UUN...but that's no excuse. This humble e-pub remains at heart nothing more than a handy vehicle for transmitting cybertrash and questionable humor...and a little of that will come your way once again. But occasionally we have a real need for passing on info.
Unfortunately one of those times is now where — for those who have not yet heard — we bring the sad news of the passing of a great friend and fervent supporter of Saint John's and all things Johnny-oriented. Our dear friend Karin Wendt died last Tuesday, peacefully succumbing at her home to the pernicious leukemia that she so valiantly and positively dealt with over the past two years. Karin was married to Dave Wendt '63 for 43 years. Dave has related many times that early in their marriage Karin, a German lass raised in the Lutheran faith, discovered St. John's, Collegeville, the Benedictines, the Abbey Church, the football team and particularly Fathers Don Talafous and Hilary Thimmesh OSB. From the late '60s until her death Karin made St. John's a close part of her life. Indeed, her beloved friend Fr. Don was at her bedside with Dave when she died last week. Another close friend with St. John's ties, Fr. Joe Gillespie OP '64, arrived shortly after her death and ended up helping to carry her body to the hearse. Joe wrote this in part of his St. Albert the Great parish bulletin last Sunday:
As I recently assisted in helping to remove the lifeless body of the wife of a friend of mine from their home, tears welled up in my eyes as one of the funeral directors gently removed the last vestige of a personal possession from her body and gave it to me to give to her grieving husband. It was a tiny medal of St. Benedict, a significant symbol of her love for the Benedictine Community of St. John's Abbey and her devotion to Benedict's life long invitation to "Ora et Labora" (To pray and work for the honor of God). Knowing Karin, she was an indefatigable woman of work and a seeker of prayer. What an honor to be in the company of both the living and the dead who reflect God's presence in the world through their generous work and consistent prayer.
Joe will preside over Karin's memorial mass on Thursday [tomorrow] at St. Patrick's Church in Edina, assisted by co-celebrants Don and Hilary. Not bad for a Lutheran gal from Schweinfurt. Here's the obit that appeared in the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune on Sunday:
Karin A Wendt
Wendt, Karin A. age 70, of Edina, MN passed away peacefully at home with family and friends by her side on March 1 due to complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Originally from Schweinfurt, Germany, Karin moved to the United States June 6, 1964 - 20 years to the day after the Normandy invasion. She called her move to the United States "the reverse German invasion" as she was eager to succeed in this country - and did just that. Karin held several jobs throughout Chicago and Minneapolis (executive secretary Honeywell for 28 years and US Bank for 7 years, and flight attendant for Pinnacle Airlines) where she touched many lives with her grace and unmatched work ethic. Karin was a devotee of St. John's University and St. John's Abbey, active with Interlachen Country Club, participant in several book clubs and an avid fan of the arts, orchestra, opera, theater and sports. Preceded in death by stepfather, Max Lindner. Survived by loving husband of 43 years, David A. Wendt; mother, Traudl Lindner; brother, Guenther (Inge); aunt Helma Reh; sister-in-law, Deanna Preiss (Bill); nieces, Allison Baker (Mick), Leah Walton (Lamont) and Christina Preiss; brother-in-law, Fred; and many dear friends. A special thanks to Dr. Mark Menge/Oncology and the staff at Park Nicollet/Methodist Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to St. John's Abbey or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Memorial service Thursday, March 10 at 11 AM, with visitation one hour prior all at Church of St. Patrick, Valley View at Gleason Rd., Edina, MN. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996
Dave told me that there will be a luncheon at Interlachen C.C. at 1 pm with — he emphasized "under Karin's orders" — a cash bar! Even to the very last Karin was a no-nonsense, common-sense Teuton. May our Loving Father bless her and hold her in His loving arms until we are all rejoined some day. In the meantime I'll miss her greatly since we were friends for over 40 years ourselves. She was a gracious, generous, engaging, interested and interesting woman...with a great sense of humor to boot. She requested — no, she demanded — that I send her the UUN directly because David took too long in forwarding it to her. She loved the jokes [Karin: all the following jokes are for you]. For those wishing to support Dave with some words of condolence in this time of sorrow and cannot make the mass, his email is wendtflying@aol.com and his address is 6125 Blake Ridge Road, Edina, MN 55436.
* * * *
On Getting Your Ashes Hauled —
It is now officially Lent [some of you may have heard it starts of a Wednesday this year]. For those who may have forgotten about its significance, this video popped up on my AOL screen today — I found it a bit more than ironic that, before the short video of the Archbishop of New York explaining Ash Wednesday and Lent began, I first needed to watch a quick commercial for candy bars. This is a good message by Archbishop Dolan and I was pleasantly surprised to find it on this widely-watched computer site:
http://video.aol.com/video/youve-got-archbishop-timothy-dolan/1897438930
* * * *
Another friend of SJU and the UUN, Fr. Kevin McDonough, had these words about Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season himself in the St. Peter Claver Parish (in St. Paul) bulletin recently:
WHY MARDI GRAS? Before we get to Ash Wednesday, Catholics take some time to party. Various Latin-derived languages refer to these days as Carnival, from the Latin phrase for “Goodbye to Meat!” In the United States, however, most know the French name: Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Both titles reflect a practical side of Lenten realities. In the “old days” – when Lent was observed with stricter dietary rules and before most people had access to refrigeration – these were the days when families used up the extra household supplies of meat that would not last until Easter. And there is a spiritual dimension even to such festive days. One of my seminary professors used to say: “We have to feast well in order to fast well.” Gratitude for the delights of this world adds poignancy to our Lenten fasting, during which we forsake some of this life’s blessings so that we can focus on the life to come. Unless your health dictates otherwise, have at least one really nice meal – even exaggeratedly so – before this Wednesday.
SOME ELEMENTS OF A BLESSED LENT: Then comes our annual time to reflect on our mortality, on our need for conversion, and on the limits of life in the flesh. Lent reminds us that the death and resurrection of Jesus are not simply a beautiful story about someone else a long time ago, but are the fundamental story of our own lives too. Living as we do under the constant pressure of the here and now, most of us ignore the fact that our lives are short and that they will end in a judgment beyond time. In order to connect our own journey to that of Jesus, our faith tradition invites us to three spiritual disciplines at this time of year. First is prayer: find some time, please, to read the Scriptures, come to daily Mass, take a pray walk from time to time. Second is fasting: on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent we limit our intake of food and avoid eating meat. One can voluntarily extend these practices further during the season. Third is almsgiving: we go out of our way to contribute from our treasure and time to provide for the needs of those poorer than us. We have some special Lenten devotions here too. We start with Stations of the Cross this Friday night after daily Mass: watch this space for more next week.
* * * *
Philosophy Majors' Department —
The First Law of Philosophy: For every philosopher, there exists an equal and opposite philosopher.
The Second Law of Philosophy: They're both wrong.
* * * *
Some Good News For A Change —
My Classmate of 1964, Phil Radford, suffered a horrendous stroke last year and has been on the mend for months and months, and now things are slowly looking up. Since before Christmas he's been at home where he's continuing his onerous rehab. Here's a link to Phil's site on CaringBridge: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/philradford
Additionally, good buddy and frequent contributor to the Underground News of old, Pete Gareri '62, continues his recovery from multiple myeloma (I think that's what it is) and bum kidneys. We saw Pete and his wife Helen Blomme Gareri '65 at the Red Tie Gala in early February. Pete said he's coming back strong, that his kidneys regenerated so no additional dialysis is needed, and that he's finishing up a course of chemo.
For Lent, let's keep both Phil and Pete in our thoughts and prayers as they work to regain their health.
* * * *
More Scenes From Stearns County —
A New Munich man walked into a Sauk Centre restaurant he'd never been to before. The waiter came and asked him for his order. Feeling lonely, he replied, "Meat loaf and a kind word."
When the waiter returned with the meat loaf, the man said, "Where's the kind word?"
The waiter put down the meat loaf, sighed, bent down and whispered, "Don't eat da meat loaf."
* * * *
A Chronological History of SJU Buildings, Places and Renovations —
https://csbsju.edu/SJU-Archives/SJUHistory/SJUBuildings.htm
* * * *
From UST —
A dating couple, senior students at the University of St. Thomas, went to a Chinese restaurant in Minneapolis. While they were waiting for their food, the waiter set chopsticks at their places.
The young St. Thomas woman made a point of reaching into her purse and pulling out her own pair. "As a staunch environmentalist," she declared proudly, "I do not approve of destroying bamboo forests for throwaway utensils."
The old waiter inspected her chopsticks. "Very beautiful," he said politely.
"Why thank you," responded our Tommette. "They're genuine ivory."
* * * *
More Lenten Ideas On Prayer —
Excerpted from a recent bulletin by Fr. Kevin Anderson SJU '78/SOT '83, pastor of Christ Our Light - North (Princeton) and Christ Our Light - South (Zimmerman)
A very powerful piece of scripture is Psalm 46. The pinnacle of the psalm is the first part of verse 10, it reads, “Be still and know that I am God.” The invitation to “be still” comes from the Hebrew word rapha which means to be weak, to let go or to release. Hence a good interpretation of the original Hebrew is to, “cause yourself to let go” or “let yourself become weak” and let God be God. We don’t have to be God. That is, we don’t have to have all the answers or solutions, but we are invited to depend on God.
One aspect of a spiritual journey is to pray in a contemplative manner. One doesn’t need to be a monk or nun to be a contemplative person...rather one simply needs the desire to “let go.” I find that many of us forget (or never learned) how to be still with God. Often our prayers turn into a list of demands or a check-list of tasks to be done.
This ancient form of prayer, which is supported by the writer of Psalm 46, is to simply be quiet. To pray by not talking, asking, or begging... but by simply sitting with God with an open mind and heart. Here’s how it works: find a comfortable space without distractions (obviously driving won’t work). It’s best to sit upright (lying down or slouching usually prepares one’s body to start thinking that this is “nap time” ...it’s not.) Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing... taking slow, loooooong breaths. Some people find it helpful to image a blank screen in one’s mind...as a thought or distraction surfaces, gently return back to the blank screen and/or concentrate on breathing. This form of prayer can last only a few minutes, or perhaps as long as a half hour. I will often incorporate some contemplative prayer into my morning prayer time. That is, I won’t spend my entire prayer time in contemplation, but I will add 5-10 minutes of quiet prayer after my other prayers.
Another form of contemplative prayer is to meditate (or focus) on an item such as a candle or a crucifix. Obviously one’s eyes are open for this, but the same procedure of sitting, breathing and concentrating are still present. As one’s thoughts start drifting...gently return again to become mindful with long, slow breaths and focus on the item.
Here’s another great technique (this can be used daily or whenever one feels overwhelmed or stressed). Memorize the Psalm verse 46:10 and meditate on the meaning of the words for yourself. Then after a few minutes on those words, drop off the end of the verse and mediate again on the new meaning of the words. Do this again and again until only the word “Be” is left. I find this a powerful spiritual exercise and one that surely calms me and claims me to trust in God.
Here’s the pattern for the meditation (based on Psalm 46:10):
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know
Be still
Be
Good praying to you all. — Fr. Kevin Anderson
* * * *
From SJU —
This lonely, inexperienced Johnny junior was on his first date ever with a lovely Bennie, and he was very anxious. His id was in overdrive, and his thoughts were dominated with hopes of ... well, you know.
In his anticipation, he lost all control before they had even arrived at the restaurant. He said to her, "I'll give you twenty dollars if you let me pull over and kiss you."
The young St. Ben's woman thought carefully about his offer. She considered his reputation, and she considered her attraction toward him. She even took out her purse and checked her finances, counting every penny. And then she said cooly, "I'll give you $9.83 if you'll take me straight back to the dorm and never tell anyone I went out with you."
* * * *
Sister Michaela Hedican Elected Prioress —
Sister Michaela Hedican was elected prioress on Sunday, February 27, by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict. She will be installed as the religious community’s 16th prioress on Sunday, June 5, at Sacred Heart Chapel in St. Joseph, Minn.
Sister Michaela served as prioress of Saint Bede Monastery in Eau Claire, Wis., from 2008 until the community joined the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in August 2010. She was also sub-prioress of that community from 1988-1992 and president of the Federation of Saint Benedict, of which both communities were members, from 2003-2009. Additionally, she has served as director of the Saint Bede Retreat and Conference Center, novice director, vocation director and liturgy director for the community in Eau Claire over the years.
Born in Virginia, Minn., in 1945, Sister Michaela entered Saint Bede Monastery in Eau Claire in 1962. A graduate of the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minn., she was a middle school teacher from 1966-1984. Sister Michaela has master’s degrees in religious education from Seattle University and in theology with an emphasis on monastic studies from Saint John’s University School of Theology in Collegeville, Minn.
Sister Michaela will replace Sister Nancy Bauer, who has served as prioress for six years. The Sisters elect a prioress for a designated period of time, unlike the monks of Saint John’s Abbey. The prioress is the spiritual leader of the community, which currently has 292 Sisters. She is also the chief executive officer of the corporation. She also represents the monastery on the board of trustees of the College of Saint Benedict and the corporate board of St. Cloud Hospital, two institutions founded by Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
The canonical election concluded Sunday afternoon after a discernment process that began in October 2010 and culminated in a three-day process that began Friday, February 25. She was chosen from among nine candidates surfaced during the process. The discernment and election process is coordinated by a team of Sisters and directed by two Sisters from other Benedictine communities. The election was observed by Susan Hutchens, OSB, a Sister at St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island, Ill., the president of the Federation of St. Benedict.
Sister Michaela currently lives in Eau Claire, Wis., where she has been working on the sale of the Saint Bede property and the continuing operation of the monastery facility. In the next few months, she will move to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph and assemble a leadership team.
* * * *
School of Theology Department —
A homeless man, down on his luck, went into a church. Spotting the man's dirty clothes, an usher stopped him outside the church door. "Do you need help?"
The homeless man replied, "I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this church."
"Perhaps you should go away and pray some more. You might get a different answer."
The following Sunday the homeless man returned. The usher again stopped him at the door. "Well, did you get a different answer?"
"Yes, I did. I told the Lord that you don't want me here and the Lord said, 'Keep trying, my son. I've been trying to get into that church for years and I haven't made it yet either.'"
* * * *
Don't Forget the Johnnie Standup - March 24 at Target Field —
In a note from Jim Platten SJP '70/SJU '74, he reminds us that this event on Thursday, March 24, is an evening when alumni "stand together and celebrate what it means to be a Johnnie." Jim said to get some friendly competition going, the Alumni Association Board is offering a challenge this year: "The Class with the most guys registered for the Standup by midnight on March 17 (St. Paddy's Day) will receive a free beverage on us." He adds that we who are in easy reach of the Twins still-new stadium should call some of our classmates and sign up together. Come with a friend — works for me. Here's where to go for more info and to register:
https://secure.www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/SJNU/events/SJNU2311063.html
If you want a tour of the stadium — Target Field — be there by 4:45 pm, tours start at 5 pm. If you went on the tour last year and don't care to do it again (like me), then you can show up in the stadium's Metropolitan Club anytime between 5 pm and 6:15, when the program begins. The cost is $35 (whether you go on the tour or not) and besides basking in the glow of fellow Jays, you get a tour of the stadium, a "ballpark meal", and remarks by Anthony LaPanta '90, one of the voices of the Twins (and many other sports) on Fox Sports North, and at least two Benedictines: Fathers Bob Koopman SJU '68/SOT '81 and Timothy 'Timo' Backous SJU '76/SOT '84. Jim reminds us that there will be plenty of hi-def TVs about so you'll be able to keep up with the action during the "Sweet Sixteen" action.
From last year, here's is Timo's prayer before eating: http://www.sjualum.com/videos/Pages/Johnnie_Standup.aspx
If you attend the Standup, I believe the best way to enter the stadium is through Parking Ramp A, which can be accessed going west on 1st Ave. N. or north on 7th St. N. Both of these streets are one way going toward the ramp entrance. If memory is correct, we drive up to the second floor, park there and follow a walking ramp to the stadium. To be sure, you may want to ask Heidi Goebel at 320-363-2591. Ask her that while you're registering by phone if doing it by computer is too daunting.
* * * *
Education Major's Corner —
Real Teachers
Real teachers buy Excedrin and Advil in bulk at Costco.
Real teachers will eat anything left in the teacher's lounge.
Real teachers grade papers in the car, during commercials, in faculty meetings, in the bathroom and at the end of nine weeks have even been seen grading in church.
Real teachers cheer when they hear that April 1st does not fall on a school day.
Real teachers can't walk past a crowd of kids without straightening up the line.
Real teachers never sit down without first checking the seat of the chair.
Real teachers have disjointed necks from writing on boards without turning around.
Real teachers are written up in medical journals for the size and elasticity of their bladders.
Real teachers wear glasses from trying to read the fine print in the teacher's manuals.
Real teachers have been timed gulping down lunch in 2 minutes 18 seconds flat. Master teachers can eat faster than that.
Real teachers can predict exactly which parents will show up at open house.
Real teachers understand the importance of making sure every kid gets a Valentine.
* * * *
SJU Men’s Chorus prepares for national tour —
The Saint John's University Men's Chorus is preparing for its National Spring Tour in March. The tour, which begins March 10 in Rochester, Minn., includes 10 concerts in six states plus the District of Columbia.
The Men's Chorus is one of 19 vocal, instrumental, and chamber music ensembles offered at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. CSB and SJU music ensembles tour regularly around the United States and the world. For details on the tour go to this link:
http://www.csbsju.edu/Music/Ensembles/Mens-Chorus/Mens-Chorus-National-Spring-Tour---2011.htm
* * * *
From Clark Stanton, father of John Stanton '10, San Rafael, CA, ten of my favorite all-time Baseball quotes (from a list of fifty) —
1. He looks like a greyhound but he runs like a bus. — George Brett on third baseman Jamie Quirk
2. Slump? l ain't in no slump. I just ain't hitting. — Yogi Berra
3. When you start the game, they don't say, "Work ball!" They say, "Play ball!" — Willie Stargell
4. I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation. — Satchel Paige
5. Ninety percent of this game is half mental. — Yogi Berra
6. lf a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the Infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base. — Dave Berry
7. Beethoven can't really be so great because his picture isn't on a bubble gum card. — Charles Schulz
8. I never took the game home with me. l always left it in some bar. — Bob Lemon
9. Think? How the hell are you gonna think and hit at the same time? — Yogi Berra
10. Us ballplayers do things backward. First we play, then we retire and go to work. — Charlie Gehringer
* * * *
From Joe Pilon SJP '62/SJU '66, Shoreview, MN —
One day two Minnesotans, Bjorn and Olaf, found themselves adrift in a lifeboat on Lake Superior. While rummaging through the boat's provisions, Bjorn stumbled across an old lamp. He rubbed the lamp vigorously and suddenly, a genie came forth.
This genie, however, stated that he could only deliver one wish, not the standard three. Without thinking, or consulting Olaf, Bjorn immediately blurted out, "Turn da entire lake into Schmidt beer."
The genie clapped his hands with a deafening sound, and immediately Lake Superior turned into Schmidt beer and just as quickly the genie vanished.
Now only the gentle lapping of beer on the hull broke the stillness as the two men considered their new circumstances.
Olaf looked disgustedly at Bjorn whose wish had been granted.
After a long tension-filled moment, Olaf said, "Nice goin', Bjorn! Now we're gonna have ta pee in da boat."
* * * *
More Scenes from Stearns County —
(Contributed by Dave Swanson, Honorary Johnny Class of '65, Inver Grove Heights, MN)
A salesman goes up to a house in Waite Park and knocks on the front door.
It's opened by a little ten-year-old boy who has a lighted cigar in one hand, a glass of whiskey in the other, and a Penthouse magazine tucked under his arm.
Salesman: "Hello, son. Is your mom or dad home?"
Little boy: "What the hell do you think?"
* * * *
English Majors' Corner —
Here are some examples of Paraprosdokian sentences. Don't ask me...first time I've ever heard of the word also. Anyway, according to the Internet, this literary device is a figure of speech that uses an unexpected ending to a series or phrase. I've cut down a huge sampling of them to a few representative ones to give you an idea of what they are:
1. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.
2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.
3. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
4. If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
5. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
6. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
7. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.
8. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure.
9. You're never too old to learn something stupid.
10. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
* * * *
Thought For The Day —
"We who are of mature age seldom suspect how unmercifully and yet with what insight the very young judge us."
— W. Somerset Maugham
* * * *
From Bob Faust '64, Lindstrom, MN —
Back in the 1980's, Daniel Durken, OSB was collaborating with Francis (Dutch) Scholz, Archdiocese of St. Paul education director, and Msgr. Joe Champlin of Syracuse, New York, on a book called Sacrificial Giving, a book to be published by the Liturgical Press to promote bumping up giving to 10%.
Fr. Daniel had a mischievous sense of humor as all of us who took his Old Testament Theology course could attest. One day, when he was on the phone with Joe Champlin to discuss the almost-ready-to-roll draft of the book for ideas and corrections, the Rev. Durken blurted out, "Joe, I've got a bumper sticker in front of me which might just communicate the meaning of this book as well or even better than all the words we've written and are trying to smooth at this time.
"The bumper sticker says, 'If you love Jesus--tithe. Any a**hole can honk.'"
* * * *
Somewhat Dated Prep Obit —
Mark M. Zimmer SJP '70, St. Joseph, MN|
Mass of Christian Burial was on Friday, December 10th at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. Joseph for Mark M. Zimmer, age 58, of St. Joseph, who died on Monday at his home, after a brave and courageous fight with stomach cancer surrounded by his wife, family, and friends. Rev. Thomas Andert OSB will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.
Mark was born April 29th, 1952 in St. Cloud to Alfred "Abbie" and Roselyn (Terwey) Zimmer. He married Peg Woeste on October 3rd, 1997 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Mark lived in St. Joseph all of his life. He owned and operated the LaPlayette Bar in St. Joseph, Zim's Pub in Melrose, co-owned Beck's Pub in Becker and Clearwater Corners in Clearwater. He was currently a realtor with Edina Realty. Mark was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Mark was a member and past president of the St. Joseph Jaycees. He was a member of the St. Joseph Lions, and past president of the St. Joseph Rec. Assn. Mark was the recipient of the 2002 St. Joseph Kelly Award.
Mark was Godfather to Scott Terwey, Zach Zimmer, Alex Faber, Riley Zimmer, and Mathew Wedin.
Mark was an avid golfer and Gopher football fan, a world traveller, and was a connoisseur of fine wines and foods. He was active with fundraising efforts for St. Joseph Fire Department, St. Ben's, St. John's and the St. Joseph Community.
Survivors include his wife Peg, brothers and sister, Carol Zimmer-Janson (Michael Conter) St. Paul, Ron Zimmer (Jill) Avon, Howie Zimmer, St. Joseph, Roy Zimmer (Sue) St. Joseph, Glenn Zimmer (Sheila) Sauk Rapids, Randy Zimmer (Kristi) St. Joseph, Rudy Zimmer (Leslie) St. Joseph, many nieces and nephews and mother in-law Alvina Woeste, Melrose.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Frederick, nephew Robbie Zimmer, and father-in-law Sylvester Woeste.
Memorials are preferred to the Mayo Clinic for stomach cancer research.
* * * *
From Drake Dierkhising SJP '59/SJU '63, Sonoma, CA —
Mark, for all the years he owned the "La Playette', was a friend to Johnnies. He has always been very generous to my
family, and we appreciated his being faithful to whatDirk had founded in 1958. Mark was the fourth owner of the
"LA", and the third Prep (SJP '70), after Eric [Dierkhising] (SJP '64) & myself (SJP '59). It sad to know he will not be there any more to welcome all of us.
The 'LA" is still the central gathering place for Johnniesafter Homecomings and other Johnnie events. It was very special when he invited us back for the 50th anniversary of the La Playette. It was a great opportunity to tell many great stories of the early years of the 'LA". This lossis like the death of Rich Hall ['63], a loss of a brother and friend.
I pray for his wife, and all that currently work and have worked at the La Playette. — Drake
* * * *
That's all I have time for this edition...but more will be forthcoming, I hope before St. Patrick's Day. Send me some Irish humor...quick. Have a meaningful Lent and pray for me...Lord knows I need it.
Your humble editor,
Bob Wicker SJP '60/SJU '64