Our gratitude goes out to the team of volunteers who have been working to clean the headstones at both Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Cemeteries: Dave Faber, Glen Verhoff, Don Young, Rich Wickens, Al Agme, Jeanne Sharrah, Eileen Garven and Deb Dahmen!

Additionally, we want to thank the Knights of Columbus who have been working to straighten headstones this summer! Over 400 of them have received attention! In the future, we will be making a record of those headstones that are too large for our staff and/or volunteers to handle and will then create a plan on how to address them in a safe and appropriate manner.

A group of volunteers has begun to take handwritten information from the cemetery archives and enter it into the beginnings of a database. This is a long-term project that will take significant hours and attention of those who enter the information, editors who will review the data to make sure it is correct, and a number of auditors who will take the time to cross-reference burial records, lot books, and information cards. Please say a prayer for those involved in this work!

In the coming weeks, we will be undertaking some work to trim trees and remove those trees and/or branches that are dead or in danger of causing damage. You’ll also begin to notice that soil will be moved into a back section of Saint Joseph Cemetery. This will be placed there over time and will eventually be spread out to level some of the land that is currently not draining well.

Finally, please note that the Cemeteries office hours will change effective September 1, 2023. The new hours will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Friday, by telephone or appointment only.