Laura M. Stibal

is honored with a Brick from Joan S. Mitchell.

Laura Mathilda Schwankl was born May 11, 1920, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Her mother's maiden name was Lucy Hingsberger. Lucy taught school and played the church organ before she married August Schwankl, a stationary engineer. Lucy and August had nine children, Laura being fourth in the birth order, after twins Mary and Joe, and then Margaret.

Laura became a bookkeeper. She married Willard O. Stibal Dec. 29, 1941 in St. Cloud. Laura and Will had nine children. Will earned his Ph.D. and went on to become a college professor. Laura's primary occupation was managing the kids, but outside the home she also sold real estate and was a cashier at the hospital. She's an avid sports fan, and always liked to fish. Her passions are her family and her church. For 20 years, she was liturgy chair at Sacred Heart parish in Emporia, KS. The parish was known for innovative and beautiful liturgies. She also was a member of the hospital auxiliary in Emporia. Laura and Will have enjoyed many happy retirement summers at their second home on Ruth Lake in Emily, MN.

A TRlBUTE TO MY MOM, LAURA STIBAL

History books measure heroes by the number of battles they fought,
Wars they won, people they ruled.
But to me, the real heroes are the
Ones who pass the course of their lives
Doing the right things for the right reasons

Not for recognition or fame or that others notice.
They don't rise to the occasion in a burst of glory
On occasion.
They get up every morning and do their best to make
Life for those around them a little better because they were there. That's my mom.

She's a hero to me.
There was never a project too big for mom.
"What'cha doing, mom?" I asked because I couldn't help but notice the mounds wrapped in butcher's paper covering the table.
"Baking chickens for the church bazaar," she said, matter-of-factly.
"How many?" I asked.
"60."
Sixty chickens, one oven. That could take a while.
But see, mom didn't turn a hair. She's water-cooled.
I never heard her complain.
The best gift she gave us kids was that when we'd complain, she'd say,
"You kids don't know how lucky you are."
We didn't.

A couple years ago I was up at the lake walking with my dad,
And out of the blue he said, sincerely,
"You know that Laura, she's a wonderful woman."
"I know, dad," I said. We all knew.
My mom's a hero.

Anyone who would take five kids - one in diapers - camping for two weeks would have to be.
She's a rock.
She was usually the first one up and (after a catnap in a chair)
the last one in bed at night.
She's good to the bone, and one thing I can say:
The whole wide world would be better off
If there were more heroes
Like my mom.

Submitted by Joan Stibal Mitchell

September 15, 1998