Connie Nelson yet again shares a fun and wonderful story of three bridge players from St. Cloud.
And all are sisters! Please enjoy another great Connie story for spring!
Three Sisters of St Cloud
By Connie Nelson
How common would you think it is for three siblings to play bridge at the same club for decades? I thought it might be uncommon enough to feature the three sisters of St Cloud’s Bridge Club: Clara Henning, Rosie Mettenburg and Geri Schwab.
All three learned to play bridge from their older sister, Ruth Mathiason. Ruth is now nearly 100 years old and still playing bridge in California. Ruth learned bridge when her husband was in the service, and taught the rest of her siblings to play. This was approximately 70 years ago! (Clara Henning is no longer living, but her two sisters played at least weekly until COVID.)
Two of Clara’s daughters also play at our club – Sue Knauss and Mary McKenzie, carrying forward the sister tradition another generation. I spoke with Sue recently about her Mom and her Aunts. Sue said, “These sisters all share the same values, but have distinctive personalities. Rosie has been known to describe herself as: “I’m the sister with the mouth.” Geri is down to earth, with tons of common sense. And, my Mom was always the lady.” Sue continued: “I have been partners with all of my Aunts and my Mom. Bridge has kept us in regular contact. I feel so blessed by that.”
Clara Henning
Clara Henning was a long-time St Cloud player and Club Director. Sue said that while Clara always put her family first, on the nights when there was a duplicate game, she would smile and say, “I get to play bridge tonight!” Clara had her own identity there; she was not “only” someone’s mom or wife. Long-time partner Jerry Westby described Player Clara as friendly, pleasant -- although someone who “did enjoy winning!” She was a diminutive woman, but no one “gave Director Clara any guff.” If she didn’t know a ruling, she’d get out the book and look it up. When she died, The St Cloud Bridge Club was named as honorary pallbearers – symbolic of the importance of bridge to Clara.
Geri Schwab
The youngest sister Geri Schwab was described by Sue Knauss as “a great player, and a subtle teacher. Geri knows a lot and conveys it gently.” I personally have benefitted from Geri’s subtlety. Known to be a slightly aggressive bidder, I once bid way too high against Geri and she knew it! She just smiled at me and said, “This must be one of those decks with 60 points.”
Her frequent partner Judy Hansen says Geri is an encouraging partner, very helpful in explaining the nuances of bridge. While Geri would describe herself as an average player, I consider her a tough opponent. Judy says: “Geri always likes to play her best and for me to play my best.” She added, “… and nothing pleased her more than beating Rosie or Clara at a Friday game!”
Rosie Mettenburg
I don’t know Rosie as well, but I do admire her style. She is always dressed elegantly when she comes to play, with her hair done and her lipstick on! Wendy Hennes said it made her smile to see Rosie driving up a time or two in a 4-Wheel Ford Ranger pickup. She thinks Rosie could be the role model for the song “the little old lady from Pasadena!” Rosie has a mind of her own, and at Whitney there is one table where few conventions are allowed in deference to a pact made years ago. That is Rosie’s permanent table. Sue Knauss often partners with Rosie there. As Sue says, “The secret to bridge is to agree on what conventions to use and which not to use. I always know what Rosie’s bids mean.”
The impact these three women have had on our Club is huge. They – each in their own – all represent decks with sixty points apiece!
Comments