Selected as Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle 2026 were Gordy and Pat Frisk. With them is this year's Grand Marshal for the Irish celebrations, TJ Anderson.
Grand marshal, honored couple chosen for Irish celebration
Thu, 03/19/2026 - 1:50am
The Irish America Club of Southern Minnesota started off its 58th annual celebration on Saturday, March 14 with a 10:30 a.m. mass at Waseca’s Sacred Heart Church. During a half hour of Irish choral music prior to the service, everyone in the pews was given a chance to talk and build community.
Traditional Irish tunes were incorporated into the service; local celebrities like Stella Ziemke and Lily Quast, the Miss St. Patrick and Miss Irish Rose 2025 pageant winners who presented the communal gifts and offerings during the service.
After mass the parishioners remained seated for the crowning of the new Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle. During the crowning, male members of the choir sang “Mother Machree.” As Doc and Barb Hoehn, Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle 2025, handed over their crowns and capes to Gordy and Pat Frisk, Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle 2026; Gordy took a moment to express his thanks, but kept it short.
The 2025 Grand Marshal, Faith Ryan, presented the sash of the office to the 2026 Grand Marshal, TJ Anderson, who shared a few words before he reclaimed his seat.
From there it was the Parade of Clans, with everyone walking in family groups from the church to the Mill. Carrying banners to identify themselves, family groups taking part included the Burns Clan, followed by the Fitzsimmons Clan. Behind them was the Jewison Clan, then the Glynn Clan. Last but certainly not least were the Hoehns, carrying a banner which declared them the “O’Hoehn” Clan for the day.
The parade traveled only a short distance, around four blocks. In spite of the cold, those in the parade were cheerful and smiling and gave out plenty of waves. The Irish American Club extended thanks to all who assisted with the day’s celebration of Irish faith and heritage.
Previous Mr. and Mrs. Emerald Isle couples:
2025-Barb and Doc Hoehn
2024-Kathleen and Joe Groh
2023-Mike and Jane Mulcahey
2022-Covid
2021-Covid
2020-Greg and Sue Harguth
2019-Paul and Mary Kubista
2018-Bob and Joan Burns
2017-Robert and Paula Beelow
2016-Jerome and Sue Stangler
2015-Tim and Delphine Farley
2014-Bill and Eileen Harguth
2013-Tom and Dianne Thissen
2012-Gale and Bonnie Johnson
2011-Ron and Margaret Eustice
2010-Bob and Lil Mulcahey
2009-Jack and Peggy Sexton
2008-Alvin and Donna Miller
2007-Cletus and Sharon Glynn
2006-Paul and Mayone Byron
2005-Burt and Sylvia Mulcahey
2004-Vince and Gladys Barden
2003-Lenny and LaVonne O’Meara
2002-Herb and Eileen Eustice
2001-Rodger and Marjorie Mountain
2000-Mike and Winnifred Clemons
1999-Pat and Mary Ryan
1998-Jim and Rita Byron
1997-Bill and Anita Jewison
1996-Joe and Loretta McCarthy
1995-Joe and Rosie Jewison
1994-John and Verla Conway
1993-Tom and Rena Hinton
1992-Bud and Bette Miller
1991-Alvin and Lucille Miller
1990-Bob and Donna Connors
1989-Gene and Mary Glynn
1988-Frank and Elaine Sheeran
1987-Bob and MaryEllen O’Leary
1986-Lyle and Ellen Miller
1985-Paul and Mary Kehoe
1984-Harold and Maria McMahan
1983-Tom and Mae McCarthy
1982-Ray and Gen Farley
1981-Jack and Cora Dineen
1980-Paul and Louise Schroeder
1979-Ambrose and Grace Linnihan
1978-John and Amanda Barnett
1977-Edward and Catherine Brown
1976-Carl and Margaret Wheeler
1975-Leo and Regina Holmes
1974-Chester and Mary Morrison
1973-Richard and Cel Byrne
1972-Frank and Annie Jewison
1971-Hugh and Nell Noland