- Ramona P. (Mona) McCutchen Regan Ries: A Life Remembered
Mona, 90 years + one month, left us just as she had hoped - gently passing on Sunday, February 27, 2022 - snuggled in her favorite recliner after spending a grand day with daughter, Sheila, and her puppy, Sparky, who was by far her favorite family member.
Born on January 28, 1932, in Madelia, MN, to the late Clark and Faye (Trullinger) McCutchen, Mona was the eldest of their six children (Arlene, Maureen, Wayne, Karen, and Bruce), a birth order distinction she gleefully held over them for her entire life. You know how firstborns are.
Her earliest days were spent on the Trullinger family farm, which she dearly loved. She entertained herself by racing around the farmyard, jumping in the water trough, feeding chickens, and daring her younger sister, Arlene, ever at her side, to see who could swing highest from a rope in the hay barn. Yes, Mona's competitive streak cropped up early.
The nearest school was in St. James, MN, so the McCutchens moved, and Mona started first grade. They lived over a restaurant on Main Street, across from the city park. She made best buddies with a gang of "town" kids, whose memory she held dear long after she left. It was the early 1940s, war was declared, shot-up tanks were displayed in the city park to spark support for the cause, and young men off to service said tearful goodbyes to their families at the train station. Mona watched it all from her second-floor apartment window. She would recall those images and feelings every time there was trouble in any part of the world.
Following the war, the family moved to Prior Lake, MN, and Mona finished eighth grade in a one-room schoolhouse, where the older kids helped the younger ones, all under the guidance of her all-time favorite teacher Mary Connelly. Mona was recruited to play football at recess with the boys, where she could be counted on to tackle, when necessary, or run the ball for touchdowns. (See previous reference to competitive streak).
Mona's parents divorced when she was 13 and her dear mom struggled to keep the family together. Eventually, the siblings were scattered to live with other families. Mona started high school in Shakopee, MN, and for the next four years lived with three families where she helped with cooking, cleaning, and childcare. It was a period that shaped her, forming a foundation of resilience she would rely on for the rest of her life.
Despite her circumstances, Mona loved high school. She studied hard, participated in student activities, and made friendships that lasted 70+ years. She was a class officer, class queen (twice), and captain of the cheerleading team. And just like in the movies, she met her first love ? a classmate named Patrick J. (Jerry) Regan -- who fell hard for the gorgeous Mona in their sophomore year.
Inseparable from the start, Mona and Jerry graduated from high school in 1950, worked to build a nest egg, and married in 1952. With two young daughters in tow, they bought their first house in 1956 in a new development at the edge of Shakopee and settled into family life. They made fast friends with new neighbors and spent most every weekend with Mona's ruckus siblings, now all starting families of their own. Jerry's work, overseeing industrial HVAC installations, took them on temporary assignments to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Maryland. Never breaking a sweat, Mona would load up the station wagon with maps, a jug of Kool-Aid, a shoebox of sandwiches, two little kids, clothes, and a few essential household items, ready for adventure.
When the girls started school Mona threw herself into volunteering. She was a reading aide and hot lunch lady; led the Rosary Society; served on the church board; and did door-to-door collections for various charities. And, once a year, she turned her basement into a Girl Scout cookie distribution center.
In 1964 Mona's hard-earned resilience was tested when Jerry's kidneys suddenly failed. At 32, he was admitted into the growing University of Minnesota organ transplant program. In and out of the hospital for four years, Mona never left his side. When he died at 36, she picked up the pieces and went to work full-time in commissioned sales at Sears. Navigating life as a young widow was confusing and hard. Slowly, Mona inched forward creating stability for herself and the girls, seeing them successfully through high school and into their young adulthood.
In 1974, an oddly arranged dinner date led to a new love in Mona's life - Joseph F. Ries. Joe's nephew and Mona's oldest daughter were long-time school chums who returned to Shakopee for the summer. They planned a dinner out and invited Mona and Joe to come along as their respective guests. While they both lived in Shakopee, Mona and Joe didn?t have overlapping social circles until that night. That dinner led to many others that didn?t include a tag-along nephew and daughter. One year later, they married bringing together two families of young adult children ? Mona's two daughters and Joe's three daughters and namesake son from a previous marriage.
As is the case with second marriages, their lives got bigger. Mona brought her circle. Joe his. And, as "Mo & Jo" they added what they made together. Joe introduced Mona to golf, a game he loved. After that, clubs were always in the car as they played three or four times a week. Hockey and football kept them entertained once Minnesota's courses closed for winter. They both enjoyed travel and with far-flung families, they made a point of staying connected, visiting relatives in Colorado, Montana, Washington, and Arizona.
Minnesotans usually head "north" to cabins and resorts. Not them. They found their little piece of heaven on a lake near Mankato. They enjoyed nothing more than putzing around the property all weekend. Mona tended flowers and raked the beach. Joe put countless miles on the riding lawn mower. Together, they built a garage twice the size of the cottage. Projects relaxed them both. Crazy, right?
Joe retired as Scott County Administrator in 1991 and he and Mona split their time between Shakopee and popular snowbird locations ? first Corpus Christi and then Florida where they eventually bought a condo in Cape Coral. More golf, time on the Gulf, and lots of gatherings with the other Shakopee snowbirds filled those years. Golden times, for sure.
Thirty years together went fast. Joe passed in 2005 from lung cancer. Mona was right there, at his side. Navigating life as an older widow brought its own challenges. But, as she had before, Mona inched her way toward stability. She filled the years with family and friends. She visited Florida and Arizona often. Finally got to Hawaii. Soaked up sun in the Dominican Republic. She did mini vacays with her sisters. And, kept up with her bestie girlfriends over countless lunches at Applebee's, Pablo's, and Turtles (all Shakopee hotspots where the wait staff all knew Mona's preferences and automatically delivered them to the table).
Admittedly, the move to Parkshore Senior Living in St. Louis Park in 2015 was hard. It wasn't Mona's idea. And, she didn?t take kindly to leaving Shakopee, a place she'd called home since 1946. The first six months were rocky for her (and her daughters), as they were told it might be. Then, Mona, as she always had before, picked up the pieces and found her way. (See previous references to resilience.) The eternal extrovert found her footing and joined in. Happy Hours. Lunches at the Bistro. Entertainment. Pool exercise classes where her high jumps were singled out. (See previous references to competitive streak.) As she always had before, she found her place and made new friends. It was her home. It was where she snuggled into her favorite recliner and passed gently and peacefully.
10 ADDITIONAL THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MONA:
1. She was a fiercely loyal daughter, wife, mom, grandmother, and friend. Mess with one of her own and you were looking for trouble. Careful, she lived a long time and had a longer memory.
2. Like all six McCutchen siblings, she was addicted to ice cream. Most any flavor. Most any topping. Running out was her second greatest fear.
3. She voted Dem her entire life. Yes, she loved some Republicans, but never because they were Republican.
4. In her heyday, she sported white pants from Memorial Day straight through to Labor Day. No exceptions. There are at least 12 pair of pressed white pants in her closet right now. Need a pair? Call.
5. A natural athlete, Mona was a water-skiing goddess. Up in seconds, dropping a ski, and ending the run without dampening her suit or messing her hair.
6. Mona was diagnosed with stomach cancer at 50. The oncologist wasn't optimistic, giving her a 25% chance of survival. He underestimated her McCutchen stubbornness. She took that 25% and turned it into another 40 years.
7. She wasn't a big drinker, but in the last 15 years of her life, she discovered margaritas, no salt. It became her cocktail of choice. Hence forth it shall be known as Mona-ritas.
8. She rarely missed an event or activity featuring a child or grandchild. She happily sat through countless plays, band concerts, dance recitals, and sporting events where she clapped the loudest no matter the quality of the performance. (See #1 fierce loyalty above.)
9. She could teach a master's class on saving money for a rainy day. When the one and only family car conked out unexpectedly, she surprised Jerry with $3,000 she had tucked away in a shoebox - grocery money she'd saved over the years.
10. At her 80th birthday celebration the Shakopee Senior High cheerleading squad performed a tribute to Mona, the 1950 squad captain. At the end of the performance, Mona joined them in a final cheer landing a spread-eagle jump (in heals, no less) that brought the crowd to a standing ovation.
Finally, a note of solace as we move forward into a future without her. Several years ago, Mona responded to the Proust Questionnaire, a parlor game popularized by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist who believed that in answering the questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature. To the question: "If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be?" Without hesitation Mona replied: "An angel to watch over everyone." What a relief for us all.
Missing Mona now and forever are her daughters Shelly Regan (Kim Dewey) and Sheila Regan Henderson; grandson Grant Regan Henderson (Emily Grodzik); siblings Maureen Schneiderhan, Wayne McCutcheon, Karen Lund, and Bruce (Margaret) McCutchen; Joe's children Sue Ries, Peg Ries Walsh (Mike), and Joe Ries (Christi) and their children and grandchildren; an extended family of nieces, nephews, and their children; along with dear friends near and far. And, her favorite puppy, Sparky.
Welcoming Mona again are her mom Faye (Trullinger) McCutchen; husbands Patrick J. Regan and Joseph F. Ries; son-in-law Greg Henderson; sister Arlene Cates; brothers-in-law Jack Cates, Mert Lund, and Bob Schneiderhan; sisters-in-law Geraldine Ries Dietrich, Marilyn Ries Degel (Nick), and Marge Ries Henderson; stepdaughter Jodi Ries Leiss; grandnephew Trevor Horry; and countless friends from her long and wonderful life.
HONORING MONA'S MEMORY:
Nothing is expected. But, if you are so inclined, contributions to these organizations would make her incredibly happy:
1. Alzheimer's Association, Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter (https://www.alz.org/mnnd)
7900 W 78th St, Edina, MN 55439
Offering research and support for those struggling with this disease and their caregivers. It is a cause near and dear to the McCutchen family.
2. Shakopee Public Schools (https://www.shakopee.k12.mn.us)
1200 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee, MN 55379
Attn: Mike Redmond, Superintendent
As a high school student Mona often had a tough time covering hot lunch, school supplies, and clothes. In the past she donated funds to provide a "hand up" for other Shakopee students who might find themselves in similar circumstances. If not Shakopee Public Schools, she would urge you to consider supporting students from your city or your school. There's a Mona out there somewhere who could use your help.
Private family services will be held at Church of St. Mary, Shakopee, with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
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1932 - 2022 (90 years)
