Mrs. Roper "Patrol" at Sweet Haven Tonics: (From left) Kathy Larson, Julie Ferrell, Amy Cooke, Jolene O’Hare, Marie Hort, and Kellie Johnson. (Photo provided)

NEW ULM — A wave of colorful caftans and oversized wigs swept through downtown New Ulm on Saturday as more than 35 women gathered for the city’s inaugural Mrs. Roper Romp. The themed bar crawl was organized by local residents to celebrate the life of Kristin “Sissy” Holm and to raise a glass to every life taken by cancer.

The event is part of a national trend that honors the vibrant legacy of the character Helen Roper from the 1970s sitcom Three’s Company. What began in 2013 as the “Million Mrs. Roper March” in New Orleans has grown into a cross-country movement of “Mrs. Roper Romps,” where fans embrace Mrs. Roper’s flamboyant style and joyful, unapologetic personality.

Organizers Amy Cooke and Heather Johnson coordinated the local romp through a private social media group, drawing a “tribe” of participants from as far as Mexico and Duluth to join the local circle of friends.

“We are honoring her the way she would love most: wearing wigs, laughing loudly, and gathering together,” Johnson said. “Sissy’s motto was: ‘Be kind. Everyone has a story.’ We wanted to make sure her story–and the stories of so many others–stayed loud and bright.”

Holm, a career registered nurse who served patients for over 30 years at several Minnesota hospitals, died of lung cancer on April 11, 2024. Known for a spirit that “lit up every room,” she was an avid traveler and advocate for senior rescue dogs. Before her illness, she had embarked on a new chapter in Southern California she called “Sissy’s Big Adventure.”

The “caftan caravan” began the evening at Sweethaven Tonics before visiting Mowan’s, the American Legion, and Rodney’s. The night concluded at the B&L, which embraced the theme with a specialized “Mr. and Mrs. Roper” drink menu featuring the “Furly Fizz,” the “Oh Stanley,” and the “Horny Helen.”

While the atmosphere remained festive, the event served a dual purpose as a communal memorial. Attendees were encouraged to share the names and stories of their own loved ones affected by cancer, turning the romp into a collective tribute.

“This night is also for anyone you have loved and lost to cancer,” Johnson said. “Wear your caftan in their honor. Say their name. Share their story.”

As the first event of its kind in New Ulm, organizers indicated the Mrs. Roper Romp was designed to demonstrate that joy can coexist with grief. Plans to continue the tradition in the future are currently being considered to maintain the connection and legacy of the community’s shared “sisterhood.”