Minneapolis South Community and Support Group for Widows

Our Mission for Widows

We serve to empower widows to lean into life, build resilience and make a positive difference in society.

Modern Widows Club is designed to create a safe and private environment for widows to lean into life together through the journey.

We are the club no one wants to be in because you only get in by virtue of experiencing a great loss. Yet what I hope you find once you’re here is that you’re surrounded by a community of really amazing women that you can lean on and learn from. We’re widows helping widows to live- to go upward and onward. Sometimes we cry and sometimes we laugh. We talk about how to tackle challenges without our partners’ help and cheer each other on. We often share food as we do this, because who doesn’t like to eat?

When a woman loses her loved one she tends to feel very alone. Regardless of her age or circumstances, she will benefit from other women in her life who understand the unique challenges she is now faced with. She needs women who will build her up and encourage her in this new life she walks. We are stronger together. No woman is an island. We need each other.

Meet Our Community Advocates

Kelli B.

My husband Ryan passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on July 20, 2018, at the age of 42. At the time, our three children were between the ages of 12 and 16. Over the last 3 and 1/2 years, the children and I have learned to put one foot in front of the other and try to live life to the fullest, knowing there are no guarantees. We have navigated the best we can as the kids transition from teenagers to adults knowing Ryan is walking with us on our journey.

I work full-time, and two of our three kids are now in college. Navigating the teen years as a solo parent has not been easy, but being introduced to MWC early in my widow journey has helped me understand that I am not alone. It has connected me to other wonderful women that walk the same journey. I am excited to be a part of bringing MWC to Minneapolis South

Katie O.

My name is Katie; I am a widow, mom, and high school counselor. My late husband (Andy) died in 2016. I was 16 weeks pregnant with our third child (Sully) and had a 10-year-old girl (Gracie) and a 6-year-old boy (Ike). After Andy’s death, I attended my first Modern Widows Club. This meeting was the first time I didn’t feel alone since my husband died. This group of women gave me hope!

I have recently remarried. My husband Ryan has 3 of his own children, and we recently added a baby girl (Isla) of our own. That’s right; we have a total of 7 children!!! It’s crazy, messy, but filled with lots of joy and laughter. I am on an ever-evolving journey through grief and widowhood. Always learning, healing and trying to help other widows not feel alone on their path of grief.