Date of Birth:
Tuesday, May 4, 1937
Date of Death:
Friday, December 31, 2021
Age:
84 years old

Doreen Mary Kerrigan

Doreen Kerrigan, 84, of Rochester, MN passed from this life on Friday, December 31, 2021. Born May 4th, 1937 in St. Charles, MN to Herbert and Mary Margaret Lehnertz, Doreen was the sixth of seven children. She grew up in St. Charles and graduated from St. Charles High School in 1955. She was married to Eugene Kerrigan from 1956-1987, and gave birth to eight children.

Doreen was a real-life “Wonder Woman.” She was the most stubborn lady you would ever meet, but also the strongest. She was as feisty as the day is long, and she had a great sense of humor. Her fiery resolve enabled her to raise eight children while working full time, planting gardens, raising chickens, canning, preserving, and so much more. She was also a talented baker and cake decorator, and she made many beautiful cakes for her friends and family over the years. After retiring from Mayo Clinic in 2002, her favorite pastimes included gardening, watching her beloved birds, working on puzzles of every kind, and spending time with friends and family. She was a member of Church of the Resurrection. She was also a member of the local Moose Lodge and the Eagle’s Club.

She is survived by two sisters, Elvira Krier and Maryann Siebenaler; a brother, Bob Lehnertz; three daughters, Donna (Rick) Aarsvold-Larish of Pine Island, Barb (Gary) Kellner of Stewartville, and Sally (Jim) Raleigh of Rochester; four sons, Felix Kerrigan of Longwood, FL, Ken (Gayle) Kerrigan of Whiteville, NC, Wayne (Pamela) Kerrigan of Soldiers Grove, WI, and Terry (Charity) Kerrigan of Waynesboro, VA; six grandchildren, Don (Amy) Aarsvold, Tia (Stephen) Hippelheuser, Jerome Kellner, Chad Raleigh, Alyssa Kerrigan, and Jaden Kerrigan; five great grandchildren, and a countless number of treasured family members.

Doreen was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Leora Evans and Iona Holland; brother, Francis Lehnertz; former husband, Eugene Kerrigan; son, Jerome Kerrigan, and daughter in law, Su Kerrigan.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2022 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Shawn Haremza officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, as well as one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

While we are saying goodbye to the monarch of our family, we know that she will live on forever in the hearts of her children and grandchildren. She left an indelible mark on the world and she will never be forgotten.