Date of Birth:
Monday, February 19, 1934
Date of Death:
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Age:
90 years old

Ethelyn “Sue” Rolene Brogan

Ethelyn “Teens” “Sue” Rolene Brogan, age 90, passed away peacefully, hand in hand with Jesus, on her journey to her forever home in Heaven, on March 14, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota from natural causes.

She was born February 19, 1934, in Rochester, MN to Ernest and Hannah “Hattie” (McCaleb) Flury. She was one of eight children. The family lived in Marion, MN and she fondly recalled stories of her childhood. After graduating from Rochester High School in 1952, she attended Bible College in Minneapolis. She married the love of her life, Thomas “TJ” Brogan on September 17, 1955, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rochester, MN. Together they shared a wonderful and blessed life for 68 years. She was the most loving and caring mom of three children: Roxanne Marie (Tim) Stewart, of Byron, MN; Craig Thomas Brogan, of Rochester, MN; and Brian Boyd Brogan (deceased).

One of the greatest joys of her life were those she affectionately called “grandbabies” and “great grandbabies.” She has six grandchildren: Luke (Amanda) Stewart, Trina (Doug) Olson, Derek (Kelly) Nelson, Tareyl (Molly) Stewart, Kalli Brogan, and Kyle Brogan. She has eleven great grandchildren: Hannah Olson, Autumn Olson, Connor Nelson, Chase Stewart, Dreena Balfe, Alexei Nelson, Calla Stewart, Carter Stewart, Mason Stewart, Jack Stewart, and Russell Stewart. She deeply loved, adored, and treasured time spent with her family.

She worked at the outdoor theater in Rochester. She began her career taking care of others, working as a nurse’s assistant at the Worrall Hospital, then as a nurse’s aide at the Rochester State Hospital. She was hired by Mayo Clinic and worked in general services prior to pursuing a career as a phlebotomist in the venipuncture lab, where she worked for 39 years. She taught her skilled technique of arterial blood draw to many. She talked about being able to meet Roy Rogers, Muhammad Ali, Randolph Scott, and Johnny Carson while drawing their blood for laboratory testing. She was known as one of the gentlest in the business and many of the Mayo doctors would ask for her by name when they needed their blood drawn.

Tom and Sue loved to camp. Their love of camping began when they belonged to the boat club and would go boating and camping on the sand bars of the Mississippi River. As a family, they would take their motorhome venture up north to Mille Lacs Lake or another fishing destination for the weekend. They made several trips across the country to enjoy time with family in Disneyland, Disneyworld, Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Tom and Sue were very fortunate to have taken many vacations together as well; they traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, England, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, and many destinations in the Caribbean.

Her faith was an extremely important part of her life. She grew up going to the Church of Christ in Marion. After their marriage, Sue and Tom attended St. John’s Catholic Church in Rochester, MN. She enjoyed attending and participating in numerous church activities.

Sue was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary 1215 and spent many summers involved in parades throughout the area. Tom and Sue belong to the MJA (Midwest Jeepster Association) and enjoyed meeting new friends and driving around in one of their Willys Jeepsters.

They have a winter home in Fulton, Texas and a permanent campsite at the “Pondy” Ponderosa Campground in Mazeppa, MN. Her willingness to talk to anyone and infectious laughter made her great friends everywhere she went!

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her as a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. She had the most caring and giving heart and believed in helping others whenever and wherever she could.

Roxy and Craig will fondly remember her excellent cooking (especially her chili and homemade donuts) and her beautiful voice singing country songs as she cooked in the morning. She will be remembered for sending cards for everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries, and many other holidays throughout the year.

With a sparkle in her eye, she enjoyed living life to its fullest. She was always having fun…even if it meant getting in “trouble” from time to time!

She is survived by her husband, Tom “TJ” Brogan; daughter Roxy; son Craig; brother Ernest (Becky) Flury; sisters-in-law, Karen Flury, Cheryl (Jerry) Fischer, and Rita (Hugh) Ouellette, Lee Flury; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Hattie Flury; parents in-law, Boyd and Lena Brogan; brothers, Dwayne, Norval “Bike,” Darrold “Buzz,” Jim, and LaVern “Tinker” Flury; sister, Ora “Sis” Stoppel; brother-in-law, Jerry Brogan; sister-in-law, Delores Brogan; and son Brian.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on March 23, 2024, at Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist located at 11 4th Ave SW in Rochester. The Rev. Msgr. Gerald Mahon will officiate with burial at Grandview Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, March 22, 2024, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St. SE, Rochester and one hour prior to the service at the church.

To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com