Minnesota women gather in Sisters

Sisters is a long way from Rochester, Minnesota, but for a group of a dozen women who all grew up there, the quilt show closed the gap. The women, hosted by Sisters resident Martha Lussenhop, are the daughters of physicians who practiced at the Mayo Clinic from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Their neighborhood was known as Pill Hill, located near the Mayo Clinic, and the women have been playing together since they were children. They all graduated in 1962 from the only high school in town and each one went far away from home to attend college.

Sporadic communication through the years kept them in touch and one of them organized a gathering for their 40th birthday year. Since then, they have reconnected in person every three or four years. The gatherings are always held at the home of the hostess; sometimes there is an event to attend, such as the quilt show. There are milestone birthday years, tragedies to get through, grandchildren and anniversaries to celebrate.

Through it all are the threads of childhood memories. The photographs and scrapbooks that come out at each gathering keep those memories alive.

The women grew up at a time when doctors worked for a salary and had an altruistic view of their life work.

"Our fathers were very dedicated," said Lussenhop. "We grew up comfortable but not well-to-do. We were well grounded."

Those doctors set an example of commitment that their daughters follow today. They all have stable marriages, and while they have moved around more than their parents did, there are strong ties to Rochester. Most of their parents retired right there and retained their own friendships.

No matter how long it's been, it only takes a few minutes for everyone to reconnect.

"This group can go shopping and know what everybody likes," said Kathy Matshushima, who fit right back into the group after living overseas for many years.

The Quilt Show reunion became another piece in the pattern that defines this group.