Catherine Josephine Mino

Catherine Mino, age 96 of Blue Earth passed away Tuesday March 12, 2019 at the United Hospital District with her loving family by her side. A Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30am Saturday March 16 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church with Father Peter Klein officiating. Visitation will be 4:30-7pm Friday March 15 at Patton Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Harrison Township Cemetery in Swea City, IA.

Catherine Josephine Mino was born May 24, 1922 to Michael and Mary Catherine (Purfeerst) Karp in Faribault, MN. She received her early education in Rural School #79 and Bethlehem Academy in Faribault. In 1944 she graduated from the College of St. Teresa in Winona prepared to teach History, Business Education and Girl’s Health and Physical Education. She enjoyed four years of teaching at the Wykoff Public High School following graduation.

She married Leslie Mino June 26, 1948 in Faribault at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. They farmed and raised their family of seven children in Grant Township, Kossuth County Iowa.  Family was a top priority for her as was passing her faith on to her children.  Neighbors and those in need also were important to her. She was often found preparing food to take to a sick neighbor.

Catherine was a teacher and leader at heart and was active in many community organizations.  Among them were 4-H, Ledyard Sacred Heart Rosary Society, and her church’s Catholic Youth Organization.  She taught Faith Formation classes for twenty-seven years and received the CYO Leadership award from Diocese of Sioux City. In the late 60’s she refreshed her teaching certificate at Mankato State College and taught at the East Chain School from 1970-1980. Catherine and Les moved to Blue Earth, MN.in August 1979.  Upon retiring from education, she was employed at the Blue Earth Insurance Agency. Blue Earth became her new home and she quickly became active in local activities as a volunteer at St. Luke’s Care Center and Interfaith Caregivers. She was a member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Blue Earth Council of Catholic Women, Faribault County Extension Home Study Groups and Church Women United. Catherine held many leadership roles in the Catholic Daughters of America and in 2015 was awarded as Outstanding Local Regent.

She is survived by her daughters; Kathleen (Dale) VanVeldhuizen of New River, AZ, Donna Rose (Ned) Hochberger of Rochester, her sons; William (Debbie) of Hickory Creek, TX, Patrick (Donna Jean) of Marseilles, IL, James (Janice) of Austin, MN, John (Beth) of Harris, MO and Alan (Jan) of Crystal Lake, IL. She has fifteen grandchildren and their spouses, 19 great grandchildren, sister MaryLou Pluemer of Faribault, MN, brothers Michael (Carol) Karp of Faribault, MN, and Richard (Shirley) Karp of Prescott, AZ.

Catherine is preceded in death by her husband Leslie; her parents, Michael and Mary Karp; sister, Cecilia Friesen; brothers-in-law, Jerry Friesen and Bob Pluemer.

Memorials made in memory of Catherine will be given to Blue Earth United Health Hospital and St. Lukes Care Center of Blue Earth for their excellent care in the last years of her life.