Hyacinth Kuhn

Hyacinth “Hy” Emma Kuhn, was born on October 11, 1918 in Millerville, Minnesota to George and Anna (Bitzan) Kuhn.  She was baptized at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville.  Hy attended St. Mary’s Parochial School in Millerville and later went on to Dakota Business College in Fargo, North Dakota.

As a teenager, Hy went to live with the family of her Uncle Conrad to help take care of his children.  They were very sad when she returned to live with her own family.  Later she and her family lived briefly in Kensington before settling in Alexandria in 1941.  It was in Alexandria that Hy worked as an egg candler at North American Creameries and as a waitress at the Shell Café.  She eventually used her education from the Dakota Business College to work as a cashier and eventually the bookkeeper for J.B. Hart Grocery, Olson’s Supermarket, and Red Owl, all in Alexandria until her retirement in 1980.

Hy lived with her parents when her sister Lucille’s four young children came to live with them.  She became like a second mother to Dan, Georgia, Mike, and Steve Trainor, and she loved them as if they were her own children.  As her parents grew older, Hy took care of them until their passing.

Hy’s family and her strong Catholic faith were the center of her life.  The front pew at St. Mary’s 5:00 Saturday night mass was often occupied by Hy.  She rarely missed going to church.  Hy was a member of the Daughters of Isabella.  She was our family’s Good Samaritan.  It was not unusual for Hy to set an extra plate at the table for those who were hungry and in need of a good meal or to offer a place to stay for anyone who had no place to go.  Her faith told her it was the right thing to do.  She would not turn anyone away.

Following her retirement, Hy became an avid gardener.  She loved flowers and her gardens were full of beautiful blooms from early spring until late fall.  Flowers were not the only thing she grew.  Her table and countertops were often filled with the bounty of her vegetable garden.  She preserved them by canning or freezing what her garden produced.  Winter meals were made better when Hy would serve these fruits of her labor.  Amazingly at 99 years of age, she was still canning tomatoes this past October.   Hy also loved to try a new recipe she would find in a magazine or newspaper.  It was usually a new kind of cake or bar that caught her eye.  With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, she would say, “I love something sweet after a meal”!  She also loved to share cooking advice with anyone asking how she made a favorite family dish.

Hy was so hoping to hit the century mark next October 11th when she would have turned 100 years old.  Party plans were in the works.  God however needed a good bookkeeper, gardener, and cook who was loving and faithful when he called her home on Saturday, November 11th at the Douglas County Hospital.  Our wonderful, loving Aunt Hy will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have been a part of her life.

Hy is survived by her sister Cordelia “Cordy” Sanvik of Aurora, Minnesota, her children of heart Dan (Darlene) Trainor of  Forest Lake,  Georgia, Mike, and Steve (Becky) Trainor all of Alexandria, and her many nieces, nephews, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Anna Kuhn, her brothers Alfred, Richard, Francis, and Arvin Kuhn and her sisters Elvira Hughes, Florence Kuhn, Willetta Barthelemy, and Lucille Brazel.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, November 17th at The Church of St. Mary in Alexandria.  Entombment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family of Hyacinth Kuhn.

Anderson Funeral Home of Alexandria was in charge of arrangements.