The Family of - The Klein Connection

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From "A Klein Family History, 1815-1981", by Dorothy Klein Luers
5. Teresa – February 18,1932
Teresa Marie Kerber was born February 18, 1932 on a farm on the edge of Lake Ann, 1 1/2 miles west of
Chanhassen. She was the fifth child of Joseph and Mary Klein Kerber and the older of the second "batch" of
children. She graduated from St. Hubert and Chaska High School. Teresa married James Grommesch on
September 14, 1949. She and Jim raised eight children, a boy on each end and six girls in between, in a small
house on a dairy farm in Marystown, the original Grommesch homestead. (When their youngest was seven
years old, they were surprised with an almost ten pound baby boy, who grew to be a foot taller than either of
his parents.) Jim later went into construction and built a Dairy Queen in Jordan, which he operated with the
girls for six years. Teresa later worked at various jobs, but the sewing machine was her best friend. She made
most of the kid's clothes and later birthday and Christmas gifts for the grandchildren. The children and
grandchildren all received a Teresa homemade quilt for their wedding. And of course, baby quilts too. There
are now 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
In 1973, Jim and Teresa built a large house in the empty cow pasture. They had sold the farmland and seven
lots in the pasture. James Grommesch died February 2, 1998 at Marystown. Teresa then moved into a
townhouse in Shakopee, within walking distance of the fabric store. Her favorite pastimes are making quilts,
working on photo albums and jigsaw puzzles. She also has twenty pots of blooming flowers in the front and
back yards.
Above, left, Patsy and Teresa;
right, Teresa on far right with the 2nd "batch" of siblings
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Left, Jim Grommesch; right, Teresa's graduation picture from Chaska High School;
Below, their wedding picture, September 14, 1949
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Teresa and Jim’s Family; top about 1973; lower, 1988
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Teresa’s family, December 7, 2002
Obituary
James Grommesch
James H. Grommesch, 68, of Marystown, died Monday, Feb. 2, 1998 at his residence. Mass of Christian
Burial was held Feb. 5, 1998 at St. Mary of the Purification Church in Marystown, with the Rev. John Gilbert
officiating. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Pallbearers were Chad VonBank, Jay Grommesch, Gina
Grommesch, Carla VonBank, Ryan Farrell, Kyle Wermerskirchen, Scott Farrell and Stephanie Krohn. Mr.
Grommesch was born Sept. 19, 1929 in Marystown to William and Frances (Stocker) Grommesch. On Sept.
14, 1949, he married Teresa Kerber at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Chanhassen. He was employed as a
farmer and did several construction jobs. He was a 49 year Honorary Member of Knights of Columbus in
Shakopee. Survivors included his wife Teresa; children, Dave, Kathy and husband Ken VonBank, Laurie and
husband Dave Krohn, Kristy Farrell, all of Shakopee, Julie Wermerskirchen, Jordan; Linda and husband Tim
Guimond, Shakopee, Denise and husband Jay Scherer, Prior Lake, Mark and close friend Amanda, Shakopee.
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, parents, and sister, Bea Wermerskirchen. Funeral
arrangements were handled by Cavanaugh-McNearney Funeral Home, Shakopee.
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Dave and Lynn Grommesch
David graduated from St. Mary of the Purification School in Marystown. He and his siblings car-pooled to
school with neighbors. It was the same school his father and grandfather William attended. Dave graduated
from Jordan High School in 1968. He worked in his dad's sod field and has had his own landscaping business
(Seasonal Services) all of his life. He married Linda Aldrich on May 8, 1976 and they have a son, Jay
Anthony, born September 22, 1976 and a daughter, Gena Lynn, born April 14, 1978. They divorced in 1983.
Dave learned to hunt and fish from his dad, which he still loves to do today!
Dave and Lynn Weidewitch married on April 2, 2002. They bought a cabin on Lake Mille Lacs and now live
in Eden Prairie. Jay married Kristin Valek October 8, 2005. They are both self-employed. Gena moved to San
Diego, CA when she was 22 and graduated as a registered nurse in 2007.
Right, David in 1955 and
1956; lower, left, Jay and
Gena at one year;
right, wedding picture
of David and Linda Aldrich
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Top, left, David Grommesch; lower, Gena and Jay
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Jay Grommesch and Kristin Valek Wedding, October 8, 2005:
L to R, Lynn, David, Jay, Kristin and Gena
In Memory of Emma Joy Grommesch, August 24, 2008,
Daughter of Jay and Kristin
In Memory of Baby Girl Grommesch
March 26, 1951 – March 26, 1951
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In Memory of Baby Girl Grommesch
March 26, 1951 – March 26, 1951
In Memory of Baby Girl Grommesch
February 3, 1952 – February 3, 1952
In Memory of Kathryn Teresa Grommesch,
August 20, 1953 – March 11, 1954
Jim, Kathryn, David and Teresa
Jim, Kathryn, David and Teresa
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Kathryn and Kenneth VonBank Family, Chad, Carla and Keely
Kathryn was adopted by James and Teresa Grommesch when she was two months old. They gave her the
birth name of Kathryn Elizabeth Grommesch; she is the second living child of eight children. She
attended Marystown School for eight years and graduated from Shakopee High School. In 1972, she
married Ken VonBank. They have three children, Chad, Carla and Keely. Chad married Melissa Larsen
August 24, 2002, and they have two sons, Jaxon and Camden. Chad owns his own lawn cutting service
and Melissa works at Target’s Corporate office. Carla married Scott Martinson on September 29, 2007,
and they have two children, Eli and Mariska. Carla currently works at Hazeldon and is finishing up her
college degree on the side. Scott works at a pre-fab cement business and is just starting college. Keely is
dating Brian Brown and they plan on getting married. She just started her own facial business. After
Keely graduated from high school, Ken and Kathy sold their home in Shakopee and moved to Mora, MN.
They now own and operate a garden center named Bassetts Greenery. They have a total of seven
greenhouses and hope to someday retire from the business.
Below, Teresa, David,
Jim and Kathy
Top, left, Kathryn as a young girl; right, Kathryn; lower
left, Kathryn and Ken’s wedding; lower, Carla, Ken,
Melissa, Kathryn, Chad, and Keely VonBank
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Chad, Melissa, Jaxon, and Camden VonBank
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Carla and Scott Martinson Family, Eli and Mariska
The Von Bank family at Carla’s wedding; back row, Keely and Brian Brown;
middle, Melissa, Chad, Camden, Carla, Eli, Scott, Ken, Mariska and Kathryn;
Front, Jaxon, taken September 29, 2007
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Laurie and David Krohn Family, Stephanie and Shawn
Laurie attended the 4-room Marystown School and was in the last 8th grade graduating class. She graduated
from Shakopee High School in 1974 and it was there she met her husband, David Krohn, born November 28,
1954. They married on April 11, 1981 at the St. Mary's of the Purification Catholic Church in Marystown.
Laurie did daycare at their home in Shakopee for close friends and family. On October 21, 1982, their precious
daughter, Stephanie Ann, was born. Shawn David was born August 10, 1986, 3 1/2 months early and expected
on his sister's birthday. Laurie started working at Rosemount/Emerson Process in Chanhassen (on the original
Klein property) when her children were five and one. She has been there for 21 years. Dave has worked at
Modern Metals Foundry for almost 36 years. Stephanie, age 25, now owns a townhouse in Shakopee and
works for Lincare in Cottage Grove. She is studying photography and is dating a very nice guy from Blaine.
Shawn, now 22, is renting a home in New Prague with a friend and works as a hardwood floor installer and
finisher. Laurie and Dave live in the "many times remodeled" rambler in Shakopee and are enjoying life!
Left, Young Laurie;
Right, Stephanie
and Shawn;
Lower, left,
Laurie and Dave's
wedding; Right, the
Krohn family
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Kristy and Neal Holland, Ryan, Scott and Ashley
Kristy went to Marystown grade school and graduated from Shakopee High in 1975. The girls joined 4-H and entered
their projects in the Scott County Fair. Her first job was at the Shakopee Dairy Queen, which inspired her father to build
the one in Jordan. Kristy married Duane Mathew Farrell on August 14, 1976. They are the parents of three children,
Ryan Mathew, born August 19, 1979, Scott James Farrell, born January 21, 1982 and died November 2, 2003, and Ashley
Lynn, born December 31, 1983. Kristy and Duane divorced in 1996. On December 7, 2002, Kristy married Neal Holland
at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marystown. She has worked at Rosemount, Inc. in Chanhassen for the past 23 years.
Kristy loves spending time with her family, scrapbooking, and traveling, especially to Medjugorje, Bosnia. She is a
Creative Memories scrapbooking consultant. Neal works for Lockheed Martin in Eagan, MN. Kristy and Neal live in
Shakopee.
Right, Kristy as a young girl; Kristy and Duane Farrell; Kristy and Neal Holland
Below, left, Scott, Ryan and Ashley; right, Scott, Kristy and Ryan
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Ryan and Britany Farrell, Payton and Mason
Ryan married Britany Lee Lisecki on November 3, 2001 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marystown. They
have two children, a daughter, Payton Lee, born January 15, 2003, and a son, Mason Matthew, born November
9, 2005. Ryan loves to spend time with his family and play cards. He owns his own landscaping business,
Farrell's Landscaping in Jordan, MN where they live.
Left, Britany and Ryan's
Wedding, Nov. 3, 2001;
Lower, Britany, Payton,
Ryan and Mason
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In Memory of Scott James Farrell,
January 21, 1982 - November 2, 2003
Scott was killed by a hit and run drunk driver on November 2, 2003. He had also started a lawn care business
at the age of 16 with a friend.
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Ashley Lynn Farrell, Maleigha and Daviyana
Ashley graduated from Shakopee High School in 2002 and went to Normandale Community College for two
years. She is now working in the hospitality industry as a sales coordinator at a local hotel. She is the parent
of Maleigha Marie, born June 3, 2000 and Daviyana Daylyn, born September 6, 2005. Ashley enjoys
spending time with family and friends.
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Julie Grommesch Wermerskirchen Johnson (In her own words)
I am Julie Karen, the fifth child of Jim and Teresa Grommesch. I was born on mom's birthday, February 18,
1959, and was the third one in the home wearing diapers. I was the first to attempt college in our family so set
off to Willmar Community College. I lived with my Aunt Patsy, Jill and Dean Wacha, and had a great time
getting to know them better. Back home Dad was building the Dairy Queen in Jordan and asked if I’d manage
it for him. So I left Willmar and went to International DQ school with dad and ran the DQ until my first baby
boy, Kyle was born. I married Bob Wermerskirchen from Jordan MN on June 28 1990. We lived on his family
farm between Jordan and Belle Plaine. We had and raised 4 beautiful children together, giving them the gifts
of country life. Our children are son Kyle Robert, born May 21,1981, and three daughters, Megan Renae, born
February 15, 1983, Holly Jean, born January 14, 1988 and Amber Marie, born June 27, 1980.
In 1996, Bob and I divorced, and I moved into town with the kids where we got to experience “city life”
together, and they were able to stay connected to their dad. In August 2004, I married Thomas Francis
Johnson, and we, with Holly, age 17, and Amber, age 14, moved into a new home in Jordan. Tom has three
grown children, and together we have five grandchildren under 3. What fun!
After my divorce, I began to discover who Julie was as an individual and a spiritual being. I deepened my
relationship with God and began questioning my own belief systems. I raised my kids with a holistic approach
and used as much alternative medicine and therapies as I could. I became a certified Yoga instructor,
Reconnective Therapy and Reiki practioner. I have studied many other ancient practices in the healing arts.
This then led me into an even deeper path which I realize was actually a “calling”.
With the support of my wonderful husband, I became an Ordained Interfaith Minister on June 28, 2008.
Interfaith ministry is not a religion, but a way of looking towards our inner selves as the Divine Spiritual
Beings we are.
Abundant Blessings, Peace, Love and Joy to each of you! Reverend Julie K. Johnson
Julie’s family: Back row, Barron, Kyle, Amber, Holly and Scott;
front, Jessica, Joshua, Megan and Aaron
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Left, Amber and Holly; Right, Holly, Kyle, and Amber and Megan Herrmann
Holly and Amber Wermerskirchen
Holly Jean is the third child. As a middle child, she is really good with people of all ages. Holly's been a
deep thinker since birth; she's serious, yet fun, sensitive, kind, caring, gentle and makes a true friend.
Holly graduated 8th in her class of 2006 from Jordan High School with high honors. She is now a
sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, majoring in Elementary Education. Amber Marie
is very giving, caring, gracious and appreciative. Being the youngest, she's light-hearted and funny.
Amber has a smile and kind word for everyone. She was a cheerleader and graduated from Jordan High
School in 2008. Amber is creative, artsy and fun to be around. She is a freshman at Minnesota State
University, Mankato, discovering ways to serve mankind with her talents.
Lower left, Julie and Tom;
Lower, right, Julie, as an Ordained Interfaith Minister, June 28, 2008
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Kyle and Jessica Wermerskirchen Family, Joshua and Barron
Kyle was born May 21, 1981 and grew up with three younger sisters, enjoying his childhood on the farm and
playing sports. He liked football the best. In 2002 he got saved and started going to Tree of Life Church in
Jordan. That is where he met Jessica; they got married April 3, 2004. They have two boys, Joshua, born
February 24, 2005, and Barron, born December 14, 2006. Kyle is currently attending college for Youth
Ministry and Marriage and Family Counseling. Jessica recently finished floral school and has started her own
business. They are living in Jordan.
Lower, Megan, Bob, Kyle (age 5) and Julie
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Megan, Scott, and Aaron Herrmann
Megan grew up on the farm in Jordan, MN. During the course of her childhood and throughout high school, she was
involved in many activities including choir, show choir, 4-H, basketball, volleyball, musicals, and church. She attended
Jordan
School and in the year 2001 graduated number 9 in her class. The following year Megan went to Minnesota School of
Business in Richfield for Massage Therapy and graduated with the class of 2002. She then pursued a career in Massage
Therapy as well as a nanny position. She met her amazing husband, Scott, in the year 2000 which led to a good friendship,
started dating in October 2003 and became Mrs. Megan Herrmann in November of 2004. The Lord blessed them with a
baby boy on October 30th, 2007 named Aaron Russell Herrmann, and they love being parents. For the last five years Scott
has run his own business called Herrmann Remodeling, and Megan just started a new journey of daycare in their home.
They reside in Savage in a home that they purchased and remodeled in 2005. They love their life, their families, their
friends, their church and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Linda and Timothy Guimond, Laura, Kathleen, Kelly and Joseph
Linda attended Marystown School through second grade and third through eighth, she went to Shakopee Area Catholic
Schools (SACS). Growing up in the country, they did not have many close neighbors so she and her siblings were glad to
have their five sisters and two brothers. These kids were always doing something creative and making their own fun.
Memories recalled by Linda are making homemade ice cream and Christmas goodies on Sundays, sliding down the huge
ravine in their back woods, having sleepovers with cousins, going ice fishing with her dad, playing house in the lilac
bushes, and on Christmas morning, her mom bringing their Santa gifts out of the bedroom and placing them in their laps
while they had their eyes shut. (Santa was too busy to wrap their presents.) After graduating from Shakopee High, Linda
worked at Rosemount, Inc. for seven years. She married Tim Guimond April 16, 1988. Laura Kristine was born December
22, 1989 and twin daughters, Kathleen Marie and Kelly Jean were born April 20, 1992. Joseph Timothy completed their
family on January 24, 1997. Tim owns his own landscaping business operating out of their home office/shop. Linda did
daycare for three years and bookkeeping for the home business, but now works as a Senior Court Clerk at the Scott
County Gov't. Center. Laura graduated with high honors from Shakopee High School and will pursue her nursing degree
at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. Kathleen and Kelly are juniors at Shakopee High, and Joe is a sixth
grader at SACS. The family lives in a home they built south of Shakopee.
Top, left, Linda; middle, Linda and Tim's Wedding; Right, the Guimond family;
Middle, left, Kathleen and Kelly, center, Joe; right, Laura
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Denise and Jay Scherer Family, Cassandra, Austin, and Kaley
Denise was the first of the Grommesch children to go to an "official" kindergarten at Sweeney Elementary
School. She attended St. Mark's and St. Mary's grade schools and graduated from Shakopee High School in
1982. In 1976, she had back surgery to correct a curvature of the spine by attaching a metal rod with hooks to
her spine; she wore a full body cast for five months and a smaller one for three months. For Halloween, her
siblings wrapped her in ace bandages disguised as a mummy. She also worked at her father's Dairy Queen and
in 1984 began work with MTS in Eden Prairie. Denise married Jay Scherer on November 2, 1985 and moved
into a new home in Prior Lake. Jay and Denise have three children, Cassandra Lynn, born January 25, 1989,
Austin Michael, born March 14, 1990, and Kaley Marie, born December 16, 1991. All of their children
attended St. Michael's in Prior Lake. Cassie is a 2007 graduate of Prior Lake High School where she
participated in Mock Trail. She now attends the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN studying Business
Management. Austin wrestled for Prior Lake HS and graduated in 2008. He will attend the University of
Minnesota this fall, studying engineering at their Institute of Technology Department. Kaley is a Junior at
Prior Lake where she partipates in dance and has played volleyball. Jay is the Building Official for the City of
Savage, and Denise works part-time at the Mackin Library Media Center in Burnsville, MN. The family lives
on 5 acres just east of Prior Lake.
Above, left, Denise as a girl; right, Denise and Jay’s
wedding; lower, left, Austin, Cassie and Kaley;
right, Austin, Kaley, Jay, Cassie and Denise
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Mark and Amanda Grommesch Family, Brady, Cody and Hunter (Their story)
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