Catherine DiMenna, “Cas”
Cas DiMenna was born in February 1935, and died on Jan 13, of COPD. She is preceded in death by husband Gene, sister Boots, and brother in law Bill Schneider. She is survived by children Cathy ( Dale Vogt), Donna (Rosann Cahill) and Gene (Mary). Grandchildren, Tim, Dan (Jamie), Christie (Alberto), Nicholas, Noah, and great granddaughter Isla.
She was very protective of her family who she loved fiercely. Our mother was funny, feisty, smart, generous, complicated, and strong willed.
She had two nicknames, “Queen and Mrs. Seinfeld.” That in itself tells her story. Our mother started every morning with coffee and a chocolate doughnut. It was her way of seizing the day. As she got older, she got more particular about said doughnut, and was encouraged to go live above a bakery. She grew up in an Italian clan in Baltimore where she married our father. Italians shouldn’t be allowed to marry each other, as that’s a lot of volume in one house. But they did. Our mother was a feminist before it was cool. She announced in 1967, she wasn’t going back to mass until they ordained women. She wasn’t fooling around. She had no fear calling out anyone including the Catholic Church for all of its flaws.
Her first word she uttered to us was probably “education.” It was a big word for an infant, but we eventually got the point. She had huge aspirations for her kids and grandchildren.
Our father’s job brought us to Apple Valley, Minnesota in 1971. It was a tough transition for our mother, leaving those Italian east coast sensibilities for the Scandinavian culture in the Cities. She often asked, “Why is everyone named Kirsten or Kristin? “ She worked as an office manager for years at Kraus Anderson and Dakota County Government Center.
Our mother had a point of view on everything. It was often not evidence based, but her passion was convincing. If she thought you were wrong, she would tell you. No mystery there. Her grandson described it as “ the tenacity of a tiger, and the delicacy of a sledgehammer.” If she thought you needed a smack upside the head she felt free to do so. Awkward though when you weren’t family.
When my parents retired they headed to Naples Florida, where they had an exceptionally happy life. They returned to Minnesota as their health started to fail.
As our mother became more ill she had just a few goals, meet her great grand daughter Isla, Vote out Trump, cheer on Georgia candidates, and watch the inauguration. She sadly was not able to meet Isla, nor make it to the Biden Harris love fest, but did the rest. She and my father grew up with Nancy Pelosi who was also raised in Baltimore. Accordingly, their politics were deep. Her belief in justice, fighting racism, fairness, and caring for other human beings was also deep. She did not go easily to her death, but that was never going to be her way.
We are forever grateful to Kae Evensen from Our Lady of Peace hospice who generously spent her time at our home with our mother. Our mother loved her and it made all of the difference in the world for all of us.
There is no service at this time due to stupid Covid. So pick up a glass and toast that awesome force of nature, Mrs. Seinfeld. She would be particularly happy that Trump was impeached twice.
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