1957 - 2003

Mary Ann was diagnosed with Melanoma quite by accident in 1998, at age 40, when she went to the Doctor for a routine removal of a hemorrhoid. She battled for 4 years and 10 months, undergoing every FDA approved treatment, plus 3 clinical trials and 5 surgeries. Despite it all the disease spread to her lungs and eventually throughout her body. She battled bravely every bit of the way and always tried to educate people who thought that skin cancer was no big deal. She passed away on March 12, 2003 and to this day no Doctor ever could pinpoint where the Melanoma began only that by the time it was picked up it was internal which severely limited her chances of being able to beat it. She leaves behind a devastated husband and two children (Samantha and Justin) who cannot understand how someone who appeared so healthy for much of the battle was just taken away so quickly at the end.

She was not simply a big part of our lives she was our life!

Cory Eisner

Dina's Story

Dina was just at the time in her life when all the dreams came true. A young wife, a proud mother of a 16 month old son, and now three months pregnant with her second child. The little house she and her husband had dreamed of was just starting to take shape when she found a lump under her right breast. A very aggressive stage four melanoma. She remained brave and happy and celebrated every moment with her family and her friends, but nothing the doctors could do would give her more time. She died three weeks before her daughters first birthday. We try to find a reason that she had to be taken. We try to think of a cause for such a horrid cancer. One that strikes so fast and kills so callously. We pray someday, with knowledge, with caution, with awareness, that melanoma will be curable. We try desperately to protect our loved ones from the dangers of UV rays, and the horror of skin cancer.

Keith Kamman’s Story

Keith Kamman, age 34, danced to heaven on March 31st encircled by his loving family. How do you sum up a life that ends too soon? Keith loved life. He cherished being a father, husband, son, grandson, nephew, brother, friend, cousin, architect, home “fixer upper”, camper, fisherman, traveler, just to name a few. But most importantly his love for his two daughters (age 2 and 4) and wife defined him.

Keith was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota. He graduated with his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Minnesota in 1996. He and Jane Kimble were married October 3, 1997. They were blessed by the births of their daughters, Claire and Amelia in 1999 and 2001.

From the moment Keith was diagnosed with melanoma, our family has been cradled by an amazing circle of love. Thank you to Dr. Svetomir Markovic and staff at Mayo Oncology, Dr. Nicolas Gonzales and his alternative method of treatment and Dr. Lentz and staff in Mainz, Germany. And our unending gratitude to the Allina Hospice nurses and staff.

Keith is survived by his wife, Jane; daughters Claire and Amelia; parents Paul and Cathy; brother Craig, Sister Paula, Grandmother, Loretta; Great Aunt Louise Holter, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Keith fought with determination and strength. Though he is gone from our physical midst, he will live in our hearts forever.

"In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer."
-Albert Camus

Memorials are preferred to either St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral or The Keith Kamman Family Fund (at Plymouth Community Bank).

In Loving Memory Of Kathy Pufahl

12/17/58 - 10/13/03

Many people remeber Kathy Pufahl for her creative ability. Her innovative designs changed the look of American gardens. It is said the Kathy’s contributions have made a lasting impression on the horticulture industry. Dubbed the "queen of containers," she was a visionary who took the ordinary and reintroduced it in extraordinary ways. That was also the way Kathy lived her life. She had joyfulness and a quick laugh that was contagious to all who knew and loved her. Despite being the subject of dozens of magazine articles and numerous television appearances, what she accomplished was secondary to who she was. She was a loving, dedicated mother to teenangers, Tyler and Torie and wife to high school sweetheart, Kevin Cande. She was the devoted daughter of Florence and Joseph Pufahl and sister to John, Joseph, and Robert. Kathy led her family as they worked together for school reform. She initiated significant fundraisers for the Chrohn's and Colitis Foundation.

Kathy was diagnosed with melanoma in 1990. It metastasized thirteen years later. During her short, fierce 10-month battle with melanoma, Kathy persisted, never letting her illness stop her from being a vital presence at school, soccer games and in her greenhouses. By all measures, the world is a better place because of Kathy's boundless love and energy. We miss her dearly.