Constance Loraine Urgo

Constance Loraine Urgo (Haan) Constance was a quiet, reserved and gentle person and a crossword puzzle aficionado. She loved her family and had very close relationships with them. Connie lived her Christian life of giving and sacrifice to others. She loved her Catholic faith and did not deviate from the teachings of caring for others especially of those in need. Connie would say that one never knows how your words or acts will impact others. She was never known to say a bad word about anyone. She would always say one doesn't know what someone else may be going through. Therefore, your acts of kindness may be a blessing on them even if you are not present to see the results. Connie Urgo was born February 16, 1925, in Albert Lea, MN to John Baptist (JB) Haan and Zita (O'byrne) Haan. JB was German & French and spoke 3 languages. The family was disrupted while JB served in Europe during WW1. Zita was an orphan in NYC, adopted from the so called "Orphan Train" in Iowa at age 3 & became a school teacher. Connie was the 8th of 12 siblings; Marie, Frank, Robert, Helen, Dorothy (Dodie), William, Madonna, James, Connie, Janet, Margaret, & Richard. Her parents owned a pub in Albert Lea. Connie was only 3 months old when an opportunity to homestead 40 virgin acres of rich Iowa soil that moved the family to the farm near Britt in May of 1925. Connie said her entire family took part in working the farm. She recalled by age 4 she was working in the field pulling weeds. The family were dirt poor farmers. A machine shed was built and served as a "temporary" home. The shed had one bedroom for the parents and all the children shared the attic as a bedroom with a drawn curtain hung to divide the boys & girls. With only a hand pump for water and outdoor biffy the parents raised their large family. On Saturday the wood stove heated water to fill a wash tub for a rotation of bathing. It was parents first, then youngest to oldest so that they were cleaned up and ready to go to Mass on Sunday morning. JB and Zita lived in the shed until the late 1950's when they moved off the farm to Miller, Iowa where they finally had indoor plumbing. Connie's recollection was they were poor like everyone else she knew, but always had food and family fun. She often talked about her love to lay in the tall grass and watch the cloud formations that she imagined. A bobsled drawn by horses named King and Queen brought the kids to school. Connie was a county spelling Bee champion. She graduated from Hayfield High School. She found employment at the Hubble House in Forrest City and had a room supplied by the owners' family until she saved enough money to move to Minneapolis. She lived with Dodie at the Calhoun Beach Club apartments while she put herself through the MN School of Business. She enlisted in the Navy, was stationed in Washington DC where she eventually met the love of her life and married Vincent Urgo. The couple moved to New Jersey and lived with her new Italian family. Mike was born and they eventually moved back to Iowa. That was followed by a move to Minneapolis where Vince attended Chiropractic college while living on Spruce Place, where Paul was born. Which was followed by a move to the projects in S.E. MPLS near Tower Hill where Mary was born. There Connie made many lifelong friends. The family moved to Chicopee Falls, MA, back to St. Anthony, MN and in 1959 settled in New Brighton where John was born. They temporarily moved to Owatonna in 1972 and back to their home in New Brighton. Vince and Connie worked hard to raise the family. They chose Catholic school for their children to ensure they grew up with the values they espoused. They did not have much money, but always had enough food and visitors never left the Urgo home hungry. Connie was a flower and vegetable gardener, seamstress, and a good cook. She would encourage eating vegetables of every color for the benefit of each of them. Connie often stated the very best time of her life was when she had small children. This repeated while being blessed with grandchildren. She loved each and every one of them the best! The Urgo household welcomed all. Holidays were most often hosted there. Family and others who were in need were always welcomed to stay as needed. One family lived with them for nearly 2 years, another family of 5 for a year as well as many others. So many of Connie's siblings visited and there was always hospitality for them. Our small 3-bedroom home was always made big enough for anyone in need. It's difficult to sum up nearly 100 years of life. Connie was a kind and wonderful person. She was a gift to those who knew her and loved by all. She set an example of a gentle Christian life well lived. Our family wishes to thank all the caregivers who supported Connie being able to live out her life in her own home. We would especially extend our deepest gratitude to all the loving and compassionate staff at St. Croix Hospice and Brightstar Care. Special thanks to Rocio and our brother John Urgo. Without whom Connie would not have been able stay in her home through the end of her life.

Tributes

Constance Loraine Urgo

February 16, 1925 - September 3, 2024

Tributes

Constance Loraine Urgo

February 16, 1925 - September 3, 2024

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