Miss Irish Rose, Miss St. Patrick crowned

The Irish American Club of Southern Minnesota celebrated its 58th annual celebration on Saturday, March 14. After an Irish Mass at Sacred Heart and the crowning of the 2026 Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle and Grand Marshal at the church, many followed the Parade of Clans over to the Mill where there was a full day of festivities and the Miss St. Patrick and Miss Irish Rose Queen Pageant. Bella Gerdts was selected as Miss Irish Rose 2026; Hudson Miller was crowned Miss St. Patrick 2026. The raffle winners were Ann Clayton, necklace. Jenny Gentz, ring. Amanda Morsching, 50/50 prize of $1,250.

 

As the participants of the day finished their walk from Sacred Heart to The Mill, they were tempted to a lunch of Irish fare: Mulligan stew, Rueben egg rolls, corned beef and cabbage. For those not in a mood for Irish cuisine, hot dogs and burgers were available from Blake’s Food Truck. Musicians Becky Borneke and Muriah Keith Miller entertained the crowd with Irish tunes. For the children there were green activities, crafts and treats for sale. The Irish auction and bingo filled the afternoon hours until dinner service started at 4 p.m.    

 

The Battle of the Clans took place at 6 p.m. but the Miss St. Patrick and Miss Irish Rose pageant followed soon after. Lily Quast, Miss Irish Rose 2025 gave a short speech before she passed along her tiara and sash: “I was excited but had no idea how wonderful being Miss Irish Rose would be. I would like to thank Stella’s mom for driving us safely in all the parades and thanks to Stella. Also, to my family and especially my mom for making sure I was ready for everything.” She followed up her goodbye speech with the song, “‘Til we Meet Again.”

 

Stella Ziemke, Miss St. Patrick 2025, spoke next: “Thank you to the Irish American Club for making all this possible. Thank you Clare Miller, we both appreciate you so much. Lily Quast, I wouldn’t have made it without you, all those parades and events, sitting next to you made them so much easier. My parents and family for being with me every step of the way. Thank you God for being my rock.” She followed up her words with the song, “Wild Mountain Time” accompanied by her mother on harp on vocals.

 

Five contestants took part in the pageant. Bell Gerdts, a senior at John Marshall High School, went first. Emcee and Queen coordinator Clare Miller asked each contestant one question before she performed for the group. Miller asked, “What are your most memorable memories of this celebration?” Gerdts replied, “It would be listening to the Irish song “Tura Lura Lural (That's an Irish Lullaby)” with my family. Gerdts played a Three-Piece Irish Movement on violin with slight modifications and a Charlie Daniels Band “Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

 

Next went Haylee Appel, sophomore at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. Asked Miller, “What are your best qualities?” Appel’s reply: “I am very friendly; I’m outgoing and I get along with everyone.” She sang, “Lady of Knock.” Hudson Miller, a junior at Janesville-Waldorf Pemberton, was asked, “Which accomplishment are you the most proud of?” Miller’s reply, “Making varsity as a freshman.”

 

Kayle Langford, a senior at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton was asked by Miller, “What’s your favorite part of the Irish celebration?” She contemplated for a moment before her reply: “It would be coming here and running around and dominating the dance floor with my cousins and the rest of my family.” Last but certainly not least was Nora Flatness, senior at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva who was asked, “What inspires you to celebrate your Irish heritage?” Her immediate reply was, “My grandma, she’s a big supporter of everything that I do.” She read a book to children titled, “How to catch a Leprechaun.”

 

Previous Miss St. Patrick winners include: 

2025: Stella Ziemke

2024: Ava Appel

2023: Emma Keith

2022: Carmen Miller 

2021: Carmen Miller

2020: Carmen Miller

2019: Madison Loken

2018: Clare Miller

2017: Erin Borneke

2016: Maddy Knoll

2015: Anna Hoehn

2014: Anna Burns

2013: none

2012: Jaclyn Schlaak

2011: Kayla Wolff

2010: Kaitie Borneke

2009: Brianna Miller

2008: Kate Byron

2007: Sammie Hoehn

2006: Kersten McManamon

2005: Dannielle Burke

2004: Jennifer Harguth

2003: Brittany Thomez

2002: Kathleen Byron

2001: Amanda Beelow 

2000: Katie Jewison

1999: Lisa Yentsch

1998: Shannon Frisk

1997: Kelly Conway

1996: Karee Miller

1995: Meaghan McLoone

1994: Katie Conway

1993: Susie Conway

1992: Vicki Hoehn

1991: Connie Winter

1990: Paula Anderson

1989: Jane Farley

1988: Danielle McLoone

1987: Julie Ketchum

1986: Lisa Farley

1985: Dawn Malterer

1984: Lori McCarthy

1983: Darlette Armstrong

1982: Jennifer Miller

1981: Jennifer Miller

1980: Carol Eustice

1979: Sheila Vollmer

1978: Michelle Lunden

1977: Liz Ann Johnson

1976: Julia Ann McMillan

1975: Teresa Smith

1974: Bridget McGraw

1973: Molly Green

1972: Monica Mullenmaster

1971: Kim Goebel

1970: Peggy Randall

1969: Katie O’Grady

 

Previous Miss Shamrock winners include: 

2023: Lauren White

2000: Theresa Eustice

 

Previous Miss Irish Rose winners include: 

2025: Lily Quast

2024: Layla Keith

2023: Caitlin Slattery

2022: Rachel Borneke

2021: Rachel Borneke

2020: Rachel Borneke

2019: Emilie Adamek

2018: Kendra Connors

2017: Autumn Miller

2016: Sydney O’Brien

2015: Kaitlyn Kubat

2014: Sally O’Brien

2013: Ashley Ross

2012: Abbe Hoehn

2011: Kaitlyn Seberson

2010: Molly Zellmer

2009: Brittany Malterer

2008: Ellie Stangler

2007: Molly McLaughlin

2006: Kyree Wobbrock

2005: Molly Jewison

2004: Sheila Jewison

2003: Catalina Jewison

2002: Molly Conway

2001: Elizabeth Henderson

2000: Jennie Burns and Teresa Eustice

1999: Jennifer Conway

1998: Angela Britton

1997: Kate Eustice

1996: Deb Hoehn

1995: Emily Mulcahey

1994: Muriah Miller

1993: Katie Dauk

1992: Ann Armstrong

1991: Marlette Armstrong

1990: Linda Reichle

1989: Stacy Huntington

1988: Jennifer Herold

1987: Karyn Kubista

1986: Renee Rossaeu 

1985: Kelli McGraw

1984: Valeria Anderson

1983: Theresa O’Meara

1982: none

1981: Shannon Cody

1980: Diane Budin

1979: Lisa Krause 

1978: Colleen Kennedy

1977: Karen Mulcahey

1976: Paula Eustice

1975: Vicki Wolff