Norma Minogue

Minogue, Norma Jeanne (nee AuBuchon), passed away on Friday, April 5, in Long Grove, Iowa. Norma, known as Jeanne by close friends and family, was born on July 25, 1930, in St. Louis, Mo. She attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, Cleveland High School, Saint Louis University, and Mount Mary College in Wauwatosa, Wis. In the 1950s, Norma was known throughout St. Louis, the state of Missouri and the nation as one of the best baton twirlers in the country. Hard, diligent practice and showy performances earned her individual state titles, a national collegiate championship and a scholarship to Saint Louis University where she was the university's feature twirler. A fierce competitor, yet charming majorette, she founded the AuBuchon Twirling/Drill Team in 1949, one of the first baton twirling teams in the United States. Together, the "AuBuchon Girls" raised $750 to buy a bus and then set off for competitions from coast-to-coast, camping under the stars and earning trophies and titles along the way. Norma coached the sport of twirling to more than 700 students in the St. Louis region. In 1955, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Robert D. Minogue, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in St. Louis. Four children later - three boys and one girl -- they moved to Oconomowoc, Wis., in 1968 where Robert, a Mizzou alumnus, took on an executive role with Manpower International. In Wisconsin, she founded the award-winning La Belle Twirling Team, and coached hundreds of students throughout southern Wisconsin. In her late 40s, Norma returned to college, earning her art degree from Mount Mary College; she studied at the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art in Britanny, France, as well. She taught both art and twirling well into her 70s before retiring to her woodland home along the Sugar River in Albany, Wis. She spent the past year living in Iowa with her daughter and family and it was there where she passed away surrounded by family and dogs Lad, a collie, and Luke, a golden retriever. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Norma AuBuchon, and her husband, Robert. Those left to honor her memory include her sons Neal (Molly) Minogue, Monroe, Wis.; Dan Minogue, Blanchardville, Wis.; Martin Minogue, Madison, Wis.; and daughter Elaine (Frank) Barreca, Long Grove, Iowa; five grandchildren - Nicole, Keenan, Max, Ben and Tony; nephews Robert (Michelle) AuBuchon, Richard AuBuchon, Tom (Becky) Minogue, Steve (Paula) Minogue and niece Christine (AuBuchon) Bremmerkamp. Norma's younger brother, Alan (Mary Lea) AuBuchon of Holts Summit, Mo. always held a special place in Norma's heart; she was greatly appreciative of Alan's thoughtful and kind attention. Services: Visitation: Wednesday, April 10 from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS 7027 Gravois. Services Thursday, April 11, 9:30 a.m. from JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS 7027 Gravois to Our Lady of Sorrows Church Kingshighway at Rhodes for 10am mass. Interment: New St. Marcus Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows School Art Program 5831 So. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63109. April 11, 2013
04:00 pm - 07:00 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home
7027 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116
April 11, 2013
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
5831 So. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63109