Obituary of Muriel Stauffer
The family of Muriel Stauffer is sad to announce her death on April 7, 2020, but we rejoice in a life well lived with faith, courage and compassion. She was a blessing to us - children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and we thank God for the gift of Mom in our lives.
She was predeceased by her husband William (1996) and daughter Linda (2006); and by her sisters Louise Sperling, Edith Stiefelmeyer, May Sperling and Bernice Hahn: also by Marguerite Michel. Survived by her children William (Inge Kirchhoff), Mark (Linda), Susan Brubacher (Richard) and Jane; as well as 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The family thanks all of Muriel’s caregivers – especially Lanark Place and most recently Sunnyside Home. Sadly due to the current Covid-19 pandemic there will be no visitation or funeral service.
A private family committal service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Kitchener. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener, or Martin Luther University College would be appreciated and can be arranged by contacting the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.
Remembering Mom
Muriel was middle daughter of Harvey and Laura Graber; a sister to Louise, Edith, May and Bernice, and close cousin to Marguerite.
An excellent student, Mom skipped 2 grades in elementary school and began secondary school at the age of 13. After completing high school she took a second year of Grade 13 because she was too young to enter Normal School (Teacher’s College). Only later did we learn that she spent many an afternoon of that year at the movie theatre because she said the course load was light.
Graduating from Normal School she taught at King Edward School until her marriage to Dad in 1939. (Married women were not allowed to teach). She and Dad started a family in 1940 and had 5 children in 8 years. When Dad was drafted into the army in 1944 Mom was the sole care-giver to 3 children age 3 years and under and was known to comment that wherever she went during those years, she had one child on each leg and one in her arms. To say that her family was her life is something of an understatement. When we children look back at the challenges of cooking and cleaning for a family of 7 we still wonder how she managed it all.
As we children grew and became more independent Mom used her talents in other ways. She became an activist for those less fortunate. Mom was the instigator of “Operation First Step” at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church - a preschool program for disadvantaged children. She volunteered her time as a teaching assistant at McQuarrie School - a school for developmentally delayed children. She also was a leading force in integrating the Yang family from Vietnam into Canadian life. We know how much Mom and Dad meant to them because they always received gifts, cards and visits from the Yang family at Christmas.
Mom also volunteered in the gift shop at St. Mary’s Hospital. The group of women volunteers became close friends and started a weekly bridge group that continued for years which not only provided camaraderie and intellectual stimulation but also fed Mom's competitive nature. That competitive spirit never waned as anyone who was co-opted to play Scrabble with her can confirm. She won 99% of the time.
Found among Mom’s papers were many letters. She wrote to Finance Minister Michael Wilson with suggestions for a fairer tax system for lower income families. She wrote to the Secretary of State for external Affairs regarding the detention of human rights workers in El Salvador. And she wrote to various companies regarding their TV advertising - both congratulatory and critical.
Above all Mom was a woman of faith. She and Dad were charter members of St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener and exemplified a life dedicated to God and God’s work in the world. Mom was involved in all aspects of church life - teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and participating in Lutheran Church Women. But, true to character, she was not an uncritical member. A faithful attendee at Sunday worship, she would take in every word of the sermon and had strong opinions about the message which she would share with the pastor after worship. (Not sure that it was always appreciated!)
Mom had a full, interesting, and meaningful life and throughout the hills and valleys of it all she always kept these words close to her heart: “Be still, and know that I am God.”(Ps46:10)