Memories of Kevin

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Second Chance

I would say the usual stuff about why I have not blogged in many months but it is always the same. Work, Family, LIFE; no matter how hard I try to slow it down or how well intentioned I am at keeping in touch with others, TIME races away and it is replaced with should-of's, would-of's and could-of's. Sometimes I feel like I am in a bad dream. I can see these important moments passing in front of me but I am paralysed and I cannot move fast enough to catch them. As they fade into the vacuum of the past I say to myself, "I should have taken a picture of that", or I physically try to burn the memory in my brain by staring hard as if I am actually taking a picture of the moment with my eyes. My son's probably wonder "why is dad looking at me so weird" but I don't care. I have done so much more of this since Kevin's passing. I try to pay closer attention to these fleeting moments when normal life seems to transcend and you realize that the little things are what matter the most. A smile from your wife, a kiss and hug from your child, the laughter of your friends.

Kevin comes flooding back to me in my memories as fast and exciting as he was in life. God, I miss him! I can honestly say that I think of him all the time and he has helped me through one of the most difficult years of my life both personally and professionally. He has guided my decisions about business, money, and jobs by reminding me that life is more important than any of these. While training for and running a half marathon in June, I felt him running with me and pushing me to run longer/faster just like he did during wrestling practice in high school. I could hear him yelling "Come ON Hispannick! Good JOB!".

So as I sit here this Saturday morning watching cartoons with my kids and reading about the St. Peter kid at the State High School Wrestling Tournament, Kevin is with me again. He is giving me a stiff slap on the back and reminding me to pay attention to the laughter of my boys, to give my wife a kiss, and to call his mom and dad to say HI (which I will!!).

I am thankful for everything I have and I am grateful for my time with Kevin on this earth. His spirit has watched over me and guided me. Memories of him have defeated the odds and come back to me out of the vacuum of TIME. I have been given a second chance to have a friendship with him and I thank God for this.

Nate

Note from Mike and Vickie Conlon

Hi Kevin, just a note to let you know that Mike had to have a defibrillator put in his heart on Monday. He was at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. I have always told him that when he is laying on the table to remember that God is laying on there and that he has his arms around him. When we talked on Thursday night he said he did that but he also said that he knew that his Grandpa Conlon and you, Kevin were also holding him. Thank you for watching over Mike. Mike's heart has stopped a couple of times and he had a seizure that made it start up again. This defibrillator will shock his heart back beating again. I hope it never has to be done. I wish you were here to talk to Mike.

Vickie Conlon and Mike

Kevin Ohm Memorial Fund

A Kevin Ohm Memorial Fund has been established to assist Kevin's family. Please give what you can in memory of Kevin.

By Mail:
US Bank
C/O Kevin Ohm Memorial Fund
204 South 2nd St.
Mankato, MN 56001

Make checks payable to the “Kevin Ohm Memorial Fund”

**Or you can stop in at any US Bank location nationwide to make a donation.

At this time, US Bank does not have a link to make donations online.

Successful Benefit

On, March 24th hundreds of people came out to honor Kevin and Nathan Ohm by participating in a benefit for Russ and Connie. The event took place at the Kasota Community Center and included a spaghetti feed with multiple raffles and hundreds of donated prizes. The evening was highlighted by a live performance from Night Class. Everyone, including Kevin’s parents, were able to laugh, dance, and share positive stories about Nathan and Kevin.

Some of us had the pleasure of being able to help out with the event and I know many of you participated by attending and making donations. I just wanted to thank everyone who made the event possible.

If anyone has pictures they would like to share please email them to me at; nathanb@aboveallmortgage.net.

Thank You,
Nate

Benefit Dinner and Dance

Please mark your calendars and make it a point to attend this benefit on the 24th of March starting at 3pm at the Kasota Community Center. There will be a great spaghetti supper along with a live auction/raffle followed by live music and dancing!!

Volunteers and donations are needed. If you would like to help with the event or make a donation for the auction/raffle please contact June Davis by phone (507) 931-6236 or email junebugmn@msn.com or Ann Malloy by phone (507) 934-3111.

Direct financial contributions can be made to the "Kevin Ohm Memorial Fund" at the First National Bank of St. Peter or at any US BANK location nationwide.

Wrestling 101 in St.Peter

I found this in my box of Wrestling stuff. I think it pretty much sums up WHY Kevin wrestled. To him it was the toughest sport; the biggest challenge. He didn't have to brag or boast about just how GREAT he was, he let the statistics tell the story (see below).

The Toughest Sport

3 State Finishes

Career Stats

A Helping Hand

I was looking through photos and a memory came back to me about my wedding. If Kevin hadn't been there, my dress never would have gotten bustled! Kevin was a man of many talents, all the girls that were there and Kevin was the one that ended up tackling the challenge of bustling my wedding dress! It made me laugh! He also assisted Alex in putting his cuff links on and my sister in applying her lipstick and those are just the things that we got pictures of! Man, he was great! So many good memories!

-Danielle Bannick

One Beautiful Day

July 14th 2001 was one of the best days of our lives. My wife Danielle and I were honored to have Kevin in our wedding. We both grew up with Kevin and I honestly think my wife was one of many who had a crush on Kevin ever since High School. He was one of those guys who could do that but you never felt threatened by it. It was that infectious personality and larger than life smile that we will never forget (and the sweet dance moves).
-Nathan & Danielle Bannick

my heart for Kevin

Kevin, I just had to embarrass you one more time. This is another time when you were naked. I remember (at the memorial service) one of your fraternity brothers talked about how you ran through the streets of Mpls., in your birthday suit, for a nonexistent initiation.

Kevin, how do I say goodbye to someone I admired so very much?

I am now, and always will be, very proud to have been your mom. I know that our love went deep into our very souls. I feel even though your life has been cut short, you did leave behind a mark in this world. You left behind the mark of excellence, integrity, and compassion for others. This world is a better place for every single person that you touched with your charming smile, contagious laughter, and the deep caring reflected in your eyes. You used your hands to help others and your heart to connect with them.

I will always remember how very gifted you were. I can never even remember helping you with your homework except for maybe some artwork that you needed once in a while. You were so incredibly smart that many times I could not keep up with you. If someone would teach you something once, you would become the teacher right back because you would pick up on things so easily. PTA meetings were actually fun because we got to sit and listen to the teachers brag how smart and well behaved you were. I know that there is plenty I do not know about the behavior away from school!!!!! That is ok, I do not need to know either.

Your wrestling career was awesome. I was one of your biggest fans. I remember sitting in the stands from the time you were in second grade right up until your state final in 1995. You were always so proud to be a part of the St Peter Wrestling team and you cared so much about the other guys on the team. You were great in all sports and always would shine in whatever you did.

I am so happy that in the time of losing your brother Nathan, that you had a whole fraternity full of great guys who were brothers to you in college. I know that many people tried to help you with the loss of Nathan. You always picked quality friends.

You always had great taste in women also. That was quite a parade of wonderful girls that you brought home. I would have been honored to have any one of them as a daughter in law. I do believe that you saved the best one for last in Kristi. We will never know now will we?

Your life has been a rollercoaster ride of excitement, adventure and caring. I would not have missed a moment of being a part of it.

From baby to "babe magnet" what an experience it has been. Yours, will always be to me a life well lived. God bless and keep you Son. I love You Kev,

Mom

Our Nephew

Dear Connie, Russ, Family and Friends,

It is so obvious by the blog comments and the testimonials at the funeral how much Kevin was loved by all the people in his life. And he loved us all in return. What a smile--infectious--and what a personality! It was a joy to be around him. I'm Kevin's aunt and one of my regrets is not having spent more time with him. A few memories include a wonderful Thanksgiving with his family and Grandma & Grandpa Forbord, attending his title match at the State Wrestling Tournament his senior year--he truly was a champion, and his H.S. graduation party. Our boys especially enjoyed him attending Jared's stag party and wedding. He and his girlfriend visited us the following day and kept up with their wisecracking Uncle Jim. So I say to you all, take the time to tell your loved ones you love them and take time to make those connections and memories. Kevin, your restless mind and spirit are at peace now. As the song says, "May God Hold You in the Palm of His Hand." You will be missed.

Love, Aunt Jean

amazing spirit

Well Kevin, I now know where you got your amazing spirit. It was very clear to me when meeting your mom why you turned out so wonderful. I have never met anyone with such an amazing faith and compassion. No matter if you like it or not... you were just like her!!
Connie, I don't think you will ever know how comforting you were to all of us on the day of Kevin's memorial. Your faith and love for Kevin showed so strongly and I felt such a sense of peace. You and Russ raised an amazing son that will always be in our minds and hearts.
It's actually quite amazing how much Kevin has taught me through this otherwise very difficult time. I am really aware of my feeling towards my loved ones and am constantly telling Alex and the kids how much I love them. If nothing else, I know Kevin has taught many people to appreciate our lives and to really recognize how we treat each other. I am so thankful for that. I am embarrassed to say that I was guilty of just "living life" and not appreciating what I have to the fullest. I don't think anyone that knew Kevin will keep his death in mind, but always that spirit and smile. I know I will. You have changed my life for the better Kevin and I thank you for that!

Connie and Russ: here's to you!
I can do anything through him who gives me strength.
-Philippians 4:13


Much Love,
Jill Hass

Incredible young man

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Kevin's friends and family. It is
obvious to me that Kevin was an incredible young man and loved by so many.

- Mary Dezern, Sergeant, UPD
mld7001@humboldt.edu

I Love You Son

ER Ohm said...
Kevin was wonderful son in many ways. He wasn't perfect but who is. I remember the time when Kevin, and some of his friends, tore shingles off the city fire department building roof. It was fun at the time , until they had to pay($) for them. Kevin loved to collect baseball cards (buy low sell high). He had a passion for sports. He thought of others before himself. He would help others, friend or stranger. I remember Kevin and his brother Nathan, with our neighbor Joe, building the half pipe bike ramp with me in the back yard. We worked late into the night for many days to get it done. They had so many wonderful times of free style biking. Kevin loved the out doors, fishing, hunting, camping, and biking. Kevin and Nathan were very close growing up. They loved each other as brothers and they very seldom argued. Even as babies both of them hardly ever kept us up during the night. Kevin had an awesome wrestling career. He started wrestling in 2nd grade. Kevin always had a determination to do best at what ever he was doing. I remember one of the neatest things he ever said that made me so proud to be his father. He had won the Owatonna kid wrestling tournament and was the smallest kid on the platform steps. I believe that he was in second or third grade. The guy that was handing out the awards said to Kevin "How did you ever win first place, you are the smallest one in the group. I know that the man was making a joke, but Kevin made him think twice because Kevin said that "BIGGER DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN BETTER!!!!!!!!! Needless to say the award presenter pretty much did not have an answer to that.Kevin excelled in science and math during his high school years. In his senior year he took advanced math classes at Gustavus college. He was vice president of his class during his senior year. Kevin always had a positive attitude and a smile to go with it. I especially remember the first day when he started college at The University of Minnesota. We brought his clothes and stuff to his dorm room. It was a very exciting day to see my son starting college. I am so proud of Kevin for who he was and what he accomplished. I will always remember Kevin as a handsome, kind hearted, free spirited and wonderful son.

I love you son,Dad

I will miss that bright smile:)

Kevin, I will never forget you coming around when you and Zac were trading baseball cards, and I felt like the coolest girl in grade school. Just that I could go to school the next day let EVERYONE know that you had come over to my house. Then a day left with Zac in it's hands but you were always there with that bright smile to make me feel better about the situation. Then your graduation pic's came and I was so stoked that you were gonna give me one, then you top it off with a 5x7!!!!!!! That's why I will never forget that beautiful smile. I know how you were felling and I know your in a better place hanging with your bro, and probably trading cards with Zac already-don't let him rip ya off:)

Your forever in my heart, Bobbi Jo Malloy

Kasota Scrapper

Many of us remember Kevin's laugh and kind heart.He was an amazing person and a great friend.It was an honor knowing Kevin and spending time with him.I am thankful to have spent the last year and a half hanging out with him again.His smile would cheer anyone up.I know Kevin is now in a better place.I will miss my friend deeply and thank you for all the memories and laughs.

Matt Leonard

PIN pal

Dear Kevin,
The first year I was manager of the wrestling team, I remember the team going to State. I went to get something to eat and I got lost. I found one of the cheerleaders and she helped me find my way back. I guess we have something in common! You liked the cheerleaders and so did I.
Though I had some disabilities you treated me like one of the guys and that is something I will always remember. It showed me what kind of man you were, so kind, caring and fun to be around. I remembered watching you wrestle for the championship and took second. It brought tears to my eyes to see how much you had accomplished. You and Nathan Bannick treated me so wonderfully and I will always treasure that. My heart and prayers go out to your mom and dad. They raised a wonderful son and should be very proud of it. I love you Kevin and I will miss you so much.

You PIN pal,
Mike Conlon

Great memories of a fishing trip

These are pictures of a Canadian fishing trip in 1995. I got to know Kevin through my son Paul and I have to say Kevin was an impressive young man. I was privileged to see him wrestle. Wow, what an athlete! It was obvious that he was a smart wrestler and the speed that he had was incredible. When Kevin joined our fishing group , he drove up to Canada in his little Honda with a big red canoe attached to the top of the car. He even slept in his car. I really enjoyed the trip, Kevin was so full of fun. Most of all, I remember how he could eat fish and potatoes. Kevin, we will miss you.

-- Jim Grabow

More Highschool Memories...

Kevin and Drew Dixon:
Looks like trouble to me!

Kevin and the Girls at Graduation 1995:
Hummm, kinda funny that Kevin was the only guy in the photo AGAIN! :)
What a stud-muffin!

-- Jill Hass (Tolzman)

God Bless

When I think of Kevin I think of the "Kasota Scrapper." I still remember the day when he had "Kasota Scrapper" placed on the back of his practice football jersey. Everyone just waited to see what Coach Fredlund was going to do or say! But that was what I admired about Kevin. He was a great guy who did his own thing and worked his tail off. God Bless you Kevin.

Pictures from Russ and Connie

God bless this family

Can you say blackmail?

Oh, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin..... your laugh was so unique,I can still hear it now......my heart and mind rest a little bit easier after looking and laughing at these pictures and all the others.....your spirit touches and lives in each one of us everyday and for forever. I now know, you are smiling and laughing down on us all, with no worries or sadness...
"The gift of giving inspiration to others is the gift of life."
you inspired me.......thank you

Until we meet again.......xoxo Ann Wettergren

P.S. These pictures you are about to see can be used for evidence......It was Kevin & Drew's idea! HA!


you sure had a way with the ladies.......that's right, no other man is in site for miles....and he liked it that way!

so this is what you did in your spare time....would that be a game of pheffer? (is that how you spell it?)...is that a busch light?....our parents would be so proud!.......



Drew...can't open your eyes can you!.....Kevin, i think you beat him!!! Callie, what exactly are you doing?

Sleeping standing up...oh wait....that was just the "pop" we were drinking that night.....I swear!

Kevin at Moonlight Girl 98

A 1998 picture of Phi Sigs and our Moonlight Girl.



- David Zamora

Oh what a night!

Once again... the ladies flocked!
I think it's unanimous, that each person you have been in contact with has been blessed by your presence. That smile, that laugh, that amazing heart. Your parents have so much to be proud of in a man like you! SO much! I can only pray that my son can grow to half the man that you are. You always had such respect for others and a joy in your heart. Hello.... you were Snow King 1995! Need I say more?! :)

You'll definitely be missed by all!
Jill Hass (Tolzman)


Kevin with a group of girls ripping up the dance floor at our class reunion...Thanks for always making everything more fun!
- Julie Poppen

Kasota Rats

Growing up together was nothing less then great, and although we may have added a few grey hairs to our mothers, we had a lot of fun along the way. To be Kevin's friend, neighbor, and teammate was a honor in itself. He had the heart of a champion and was one to admire. Thanks for everything.

-Ryan Woelpern

12 Years Ago Today!

Times Standard article about Kevin

To all-
The was a very nice article printed in the Times Standard, the paper in Arcata, CA, about Kevin. If you are interested in taking a peek, the URL is http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_5117523

- Danielle (Spiess) Bannick

In Memory of You - Michelle

Shortly after college, Kevin became one of my roommates, and friends. Its been a little, but he is definitely a difficult boy to forget as he tends to run across my mind as an inspiration for obnoxious endeavors. I wanted to post this picture I took of Kevin on the Millennium New Years Eve, and leave you with his contagious smile right in the middle of his very close friends.

Kevin, a moment of silence in memory of you ~ Michelle

My Favorite Kevin Memories - Roger Kuznia

I remember when Kevin was crowned Snow King, and we were taking pictures afterward. One of them with Kevin and I made it into our yearbook, and anytime I paged through that yearbook since, it has made me smile because Kevin was such an outstanding guy.

I also remember when all the wrestlers would run the hallway around the gym, and as we basketball players went to get a drink of water, we'd step in front of a few of the younger ones to playfully break their pace and mess with 'em a little bit. I never did that to Kevin, because I knew how hard he worked. I mean, did you see all the pins on his letter jacket?

Finally, I remember going to the U of M for a campus visit following juco graduation, and wouldn't you know, Kevin was one of the tour guides. Though I didn't end up going to school there, it was great to see him, because he found a way to make you laugh.

Thanks for being you, Kevin.

Roger Kuznia

Contagious Laugh

Kevin, I can still picture the smile upon your face as we pass in our high school halls, hear the encouraging words you spoke to your fellow classmates, and I can still HEAR your contagious laugh in my head. Your kind heart and upbeat personality will be greatly missed in this world. I am honored to have known you in my life and will always cherish the memories I have of you.

Love Jessi Leonard (Gumbel)

Turn Back the Pages

I was going through some old boxes in the basement looking for some long lost pictures of Kevin in action. I found a few. I enjoy looking back at all of us. I'm sure he would, too.

Here he is in Mrs. Potts' 5th grade class-- cute little guy on the right.

... nice dew, Ward.

Kevin with the bright young graduating confirmation class of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Big Man #20 down in front.

Kevin gets Student of the Month accolades .

...smarty pants

The King is crowned.

Last , but not least, Kevin after a hard match. Caption reads:

Kevin Ohm waits to shake hands with the cheerleader.

...typical.


I'll miss you, Kevin. Peace to you.
-Drew