Catherine Rose Ritter Donabauer

Just thought I would let you know a little about my mom so you can get to know her through this blog and her recipies. Her heritage is German Catholic, and she was born, lived and died in Stearns County in central Minnesota. She died fairly young, only 62 years old, mainly from the ravages of diabetes and what I suspect was some autoimmune disorder not identified. (You know medical people, can't be satisfied with any one answer and it's never a cold, but pneumonia.) She was married to my dad, Ben until she passed away, raised five children, two sons and three daughters. I am the youngest of the five and definitely not the spoiled one, at least that is what I say! She was a great cook and baker. After we were in school, she went to work at the St. Cloud Hospital in the kitchen and baked there. At some point she stopped working there and started working for my brother's business. The original Carmel Crisp Shop on the east side of St. Cloud. She made subs, caramel corn and candy. I can still see her flipping the caramel corn in the big copper kettle and pouring it out onto a flat pan. At some point she was unable to continue working and was at home. I was going to try baking some of her recipies this weekend, but the demands of garden produce pushed that aside. Hopefully I'll be able to try some out this week and let you know how it is going. I am planning on using my co-workers as the guinea pigs from my baking. I'll let you know if they complain or like what I bring in. Go Twins!