Elaine Josephine Vessey
Friday, March 4, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Age:
90 years old
Visitation
Date: Sunday September 11, 2011
Time: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Monday September 12, 2011
Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Memorial Mass
Date: Monday September 12, 2011
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Friday, March 4, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Age:
90 years old
Friday, March 4, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Age:
90 years old
Elaine Josephine Vessey
The Memorial Mass for Elaine Vessey will be at 10:30AM, Monday, September 12, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Elaine Josephine Vessey passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 6, 2011. She was born March 4, 1921, in Elma, Iowa. She was the last of eight children born to parents, Margaret and William Kurtenbach. Elaine attended business college, in 1939. She met Clark J. Vessey in 1940 and they married in 1943. Clark was stationed in Savannah, Georgia. Elaine accompanied him there and their only son, Ron, was born there in 1945. With the end of WWII, Elaine and Clark returned to Minnesota. Elaine worked through the years at the Brown Derby, the Alibi Inn, which she owned for a few years, the Town House, Dooley’s and Mc Murphys’s. Her values of hard work and honesty helped her gain the respect and admiration of her employers and she continued to work at her last position one day a week until the age of 85. Elaine’s natural effervescence and good humor endeared her to many her customers.
Elaine and Clark loved their pontoon boat that they kept on the Zumbro River for years. Outings with family and friends added to their enjoyment. Elaine helped Clark in his auction business for years until his retirement in 1995. They enjoyed many trips to Seattle, Kansas, and Chicago to visit her sisters, as well as to Hawaii in 1980 and two cruises to the Caribbean with friends. Clark passed away in 2001.
Survivors include her son, Ronald (Judy) of Edina, MN; and grandchildren, Jonathan (fiancée Cynthia Foht) of New York, NY; Joshua (Kate) of San Francisco, CA; Rachel (fiancé Rob Gibson) of Bethesda, MD; and Alex (special friend Heather) of Minneapolis; and great-grand daughter, Olivia Susan.
Elaine’s grandchildren fondly remember their days in Rochester swimming at the Holiday Inn South, feeding the geese at Silver Lake and having treats from the deep freeze with Grandma and Grandpa. While grown up and scattered to both coasts, Elaine’s grandchildren appreciated her phone calls and sent her photos of their endeavors via an electronic picture frame so Grandma could keep track of them.
Elaine was also “mother” to her two cats, Polly and Maggie. They provided her with companionship and warm snuggles.
Many thanks to Elaine’s neighbors, Bryan and Corinne, Renee and Virginia for their kind attention to her over the years.
Elaine enjoyed an active, full life and celebrated her 90th birthday with a big party in March.
Friends may call from 3:00PM – 6:00PM on Sunday, September 11, 2011, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Memorials are suggested to the Lourdes High School Building Fund.
Condolences
The family of Elaine Josephine Vessey has received the following condolences.
My Condolences Ron, Judy, and kids. Unable to attend funeral as Working. I Loved it when your Mom would come and see me when visiting Ann when she was in Maple Manor. She would sit in My office so we could visit. I always remember Auntie Elaine when she was running the Alabi Bar, and every time Dad would take me ,she would give Me a Choc. Hershey's Bar, and a pop. That was always so special to Me. Well, we've lost all the Vessey's...Clark, Dick, and Marie. and all the Karau's. So hard to loose those one Love's. Now Our Mom's and Dad's are together until the day we again reunite.
What a most wonderful woman and the bestest Godmother! You will be deeply missed Elaine. Have fun with Clark :)
Dear Ron ,Judy and family,Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Elaine,I was lucky enough to have a few conversations with her when I was in san francisco after the birth of Olivia, and she was so proud of her family.I hope that our Olivia might have inherited her love of people .
Ron, Judy and family,
The last of my "moms" is gone. Ron,when I heard the news of your mother's passing of course the flood of memories began.
From St. Francis Grade school, through Lourdes years, college and even into young adult Elaine's ( although it was always Mrs Vessey from my lips) smile , her laugh and even at time her admonitions to "straighten up" were a comfort zone for me. I really felt loved by her, but then again she had a lot of "boys" she treated that way. Your mom provided a harbor for us when we needed to be away from parents and yet have the presence of a mom....
I knew before and I'll say it again....I was blessed to know her.
God's rest "Mrs Vessey"....well deserved!
Jon Hrabe
Elainey is the best she is with Clark now , having a hoot! Lotta catching up to do! good for them, cuddles and kisses yeah!!!!!!! HAPPY EVERYTHING MY DEAR FRIEND ELAINEY! Will miss ya. See ya on the other side! LOVE ALWAYS Gayann.
Hi I just want to say I'm so sorry to her about Elaines death, she was allways so pleasent to me when i came in for a beer or two, she was a great person and the best bartender that Rochester has ever had, God Bless. Jon Lynch
Jim and Michelle, soory for the loss of your Aunt. She and I had a few convesations about the 2 of you while I was at her home doing service work. Gods speed to you.
I WILL TRULY MISS ELAINE AND THE TIMES I SPENT WITH HER AT MCMURPHYS.
I ATE LUNCH THERE ALMOST EVERYDAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON.
I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO THE DAYS THAT SHE WAS WORKING.
I BROUGHT HER LILIES AT EASTER AND POINSETTIAS AT CHRISTMAS.
SHE GAVE ME LOVE AND WISDOM.
THERE WILL BE NO EQUAL EVER AND AT LAST SHE WILL BE WITH CLARK
LOVE RICK VINCENT
she was the best bartender at Dooleys and mcmurphys,she would give me free pop when i would come in and see her,she will be missed and always loved by me. Sweet dreams to a wonderful lady!!!!!!!
Ron, Judy and family, I am so sorry for your loss of Elaine. I was so lucky to have her as a next door neighbor as she became family to me. We had so many good times and shared meals on the deck and patio. She was a font of Rochester history and entertained me with wonderful stories of her life. I will never forget her.
-Renee
Elainiey" as I called her and so did so many who new her well. What a women true friend and a always thier for you. WOW did we have fun working together at McMurphy Sports Cafe! Talk about a real bartenter, people came in just to see her, people would ask what day is elaine working? I'd say tomarrow they'd be back the next day! I will truely miss her and she was truely one of the bestest friends I've ever had! God Bless Her! Miss You My Dear Friend. Love Gayann.