The following obituaries are from the July 2, 2009 print edition of the Chaska Herald newspaper:

Kathleen Isabel Von Bank

Kathleen “Kathi” Von Bank, 64, of Mound, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia.

She was born March 25, 1945 to parents, David and Lois (Uran) Schindler, in Minneapolis. She married Duane Von Bank on April 24, 1965 at Guardian Angels in Chaska. She was a former member of the Red Hat Association and a member of the American Legion in Chaska. Kathi loved to garden and enjoyed being with her family.

She will be loved and forever missed by her husband, Duane; sons, Jesse Von Bank of Shakopee, Mark (Christina) Von Bank of Champlin; sister, Roni (Dave) Schwalbe; brothers, Larry (Gail) Schindler, Joe Schindler; sister-in-law, Carol Schindler; many relatives and friends; special grandpuppy, Cinder.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Davey Schindler.

Visitation was Tuesday, June 30, from 2-5 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee, with the Celebration of Life service following at 5 p.m.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee, 952-445-1202. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Clara Marie Storms

Clara Storms, 90, of Cologne, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at The Harbor at Peace Villa in Norwood.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, June 27, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Cologne at 10:30 a.m. with Father Martin Shallbetter as Celebrant of the Mass. Visitation was Friday, June 26, from 4-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the mass, all at the church; vigil prayers were Friday at 7:30 p.m. Casket bearers were her sons and daughters. Final resting place is St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery in Cologne.

Clara was born Nov. 4, 1918 in Waconia, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Schlechter) Louis. The Louis farm was located where the Clearwater development of Waconia is now situated. Clara was the last survivor of the family of 12 children born to Charles and Elizabeth. Clara was baptized, celebrated her First Communion and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waconia.

Clara was very proud to be an 8th grade graduate of St. Joseph School. Clara helped her mother with household chores, and baby sitting for neighboring children while growing up on the farm. Mom left home, as a teen-ager, to be the house keeper for her Uncle Frank Louis in Cologne. Uncle Frank was a business man in Cologne whose wife had a serious illness and spent the rest of her life in an institution. Clara enjoyed life in Cologne and as the story is told became an accomplished basketball player, playing with her team in the second floor of the old City Hall. Clara met her future husband Alexander (Sandy) Storms on a hayride at the Blanche Henke farm. Mom and Dad continued meeting at dances in the Carver Pavilion. The Storms and Louis families boasted three weddings between their children. Clara’s sister Rose married Sandy’s brother Alois in 1938 and Clara’s brother Alfred married Sandy’s sister Betty in 1939. Clara and Sandy planned to be married on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1940. The Great Armistice Day snow storm started Nov. 11. Mom was at home in Waconia, and Dad was busy shoveling out to meet his bride; they finally got together on Thursday the 14th after their scheduled wedding day had passed. They tied the knot on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1940.

Clara and Sandy started their life together on the farm that Sandy grew up on south of Cologne. On Aug. 17, 1941, a child, Roger, was born to their union. Little did they know what was to come. On Sept. 30, 1942, Tom was born; twin boys Ronald and Donald were born Dec. 10, 1943, followed by another boy Richard Dec. 16, 1944. Their first daughter Kathleen was born Jan. 19, 1946. In March of 1946 Clara and Sandy bought the farm from Sandy’s parents, only then could they have indoor plumbing installed in the house. Prior to that, hand pumps were used to pump water from hard and rain water cisterns in the house for cooking and bathing. Water was warmed on the wood stove for washing and bathing. The toilet was the outhouse. The family continued to grow. Patricia was born Oct. 1, 1948, Irene was born Nov. 6 1952, on April 24, 1954 another son Henry was born, the fourth daughter, Judy was born Feb. 12, 1956. The family was completed with two sons, Charles on Aug. 11, 1957 and Mark on July 7, 1961.

During this time when mom was caring for her growing family, she also provided a home for her mother, Elizabeth Louis, and Sandy’s father, Henry Storms. A part of raising a family is giving them wings. Mom managed five weddings in 16 months (1965-1966) plus Kathleen’s profession as a School Sisters of Notre Dame with another wedding one year later. For each of these events mom made a special quilt to mark the occasion. On Aug. 11, 1970, tragedy struck the Storms farm when fire destroyed the barn. They rebuilt, celebrating with a barn dance to thank all the neighbors and friends who helped raise the new barn by October of that year.

Mom was a great homemaker with large number of mouths to feed, including family, friends, and harvesting crews. Much of the food came from her garden with meat and eggs all raised on the farm. Extra household money came from eggs she sold to local produce merchants. In 1978, mom and dad built their new home in Cologne when they retired. This move provided Clara the time to pursue hobbies such as sewing quilts, travel and fishing at their cabin in Waverly, which was close enough to keep in touch with family and community. In 1990 mom and dad celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with a special Mass of celebration and a dance at the former Cologne Pavilion. Dad passed away on Dec. 6, 1997, leaving mom a widow for more than 11 years. When mom needed additional care she moved to “The Harbor” in Norwood Young America, March 21, 2008. Mom slowly adjusted to life outside of her beloved home and community of Cologne. Mom was very grateful for the care she received and the opportunity to live independently at The Harbor. On June 23, 2009, she received her fondest wish of quietly slipping into death. Clara Storms lived in the Cologne area for over 70 years and was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Clara was a very willing participant in all community, church and family social functions; she especially enjoyed old time dancing.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander “Sandy” Storms; daughter, Judy Pijahn; son, Ron Storms; father and mother Charles and Elizabeth Louis; brothers, Henry, Father Tony, Alfred, Ben, Dick, Ray, John, and Wilfred Louis; sisters, Sister Anna Louis SCC, Sally Schmitz, and Rose Storms.

Clara is survived by her loving family, Roger and Jan Storms of Chaska, Tom and Pam Storms of St. Paul, Vicki Storms of Shakopee, Don and Barb Storms of Waconia, Dick and Pat Storms of Cologne, Sister Kathleen Storms SSND of Mankato, Pat and Tom Peitz of Waconia, Irene and Tom Yaeck of Hamburg, Hank and Lori Storms of Cologne, Greg and Jackie Pijahn of Zimmermann, Charlie and Cathy Storms of Norwood Young America, Mark and Patti Storms of Norwood Young America; 31 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Betty Louis of Paynesville, Charleen Louis of Eagan, Ruth Louis of Waconia; nieces, nephew other relatives and friends.

Arrangements with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia; www.johnsonfh.com.