Mary E. Stipe

Hi Mrs. Stipe, about3 weeks ago, I was able to stop by the Carnival. I saw Barry and met his Granddaughter. This brought back alot of memories for me. Jimmy Eng

Every time something happens—- good or bad, funny or stupid—- my first instinct is always to call you up and tell you. You’ve been gone for 13 years now and I still want to call you. Wish you could see my head of white hair. Love you very much Mom.

Twelve years since you left this world. Your lifetime report card would be an A+, we lucked out with the greatest mom on earth.

We all miss you so much at Cumberland, at Ridgeland, at Christmas, every day, every season.

Love from your firstborn, your experimental model as you said.

Kathy

August 24, 2007

Hey Mom,
It's 7 years today since you left and I still miss you so much. I want to pick up the phone and tell you things---how smart and good looking my grandchildren are, how lovely little Chelsea is, what a great job Bear is doing, and how the heck do you sew knit material?
Almost your last words in August 2007 were your great concern over the children in that school bus on the broken 35W bridge. I can never go by that bridge without thinking about you, you were in St. John's Hospital that day watching the disaster on TV, I was in Dinkytown and heard the crash.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, life goes on. I was a zombie after Bill's death in April of 07 and should have never left your side, but Beth took great care of you, and I treasure those hours with you in the hospital. The boys were setting up in Cumberland, no one actually thought you would actually die, it didn't seem possible.

I have tried hard to do as you asked me to do on August 22, 2007. I don't know how this heaven/earth stuff works, please throw down your blessings if that's possible. Sometimes I think you are still here? I couldn't love you more.

dear Mom, I miss you so much, some days it is almost impossible to bear. Thank you for all the wisdom and patience, I am trying to be like you but it's a hard act to follow. Hope you're having fun in your new life, and hope it's really true that we will all meet again. MQ

happy Valentine's Day, Mom! You used to put cards in our bag lunches, and then as grizzled adults you still sent cards in the mail. Every holiday I think of you because you gave us so much fun and love when we were children, every occasion was an occasion for arts and crafts and experimental cake frosting. Thank you for the priceless gift of all these silly memories.

happy birthday, Mom! Rox and I were trying to remember how many times we brought a cake to Ridgeland?! You were always such a good sport about being stuck there. When we were children we brought you tacky gifts from the State Fair, you received them graciously and smiling. All 9 of us miss you so much, and we realize how lucky we were to have you. I'm sorry you didn't get to live to be 100 as you wanted, but I see you in God's heaven with black hair and a baby on your hip and I know you are finally without pain. Love you always and forever. MQ

Merry Christas, Mom! You always made the day special for us. The long line of candles down the driveway lives on in my memory, along with the southern orange rind candy and Grandpa's spiral ham. Thank you for all the love and hard work you put into the holidays, we were blessed. MQ

Happy birthday, Mom! I spent a day with Carolyn and she misses her Godmother Mary, talked to Vivian for an hour and she misses her "big sister", rec'd a nice letter from Flossie and all her memories are lovely. I am so proud to have had a mother like you. I know you are busy on the Other Side finding out how the universe works, but please send some grace our way, the family really misses your wisdom. Love love love, MQ

Four years ago you left this world, I miss you so much! Not a day goes by that I don't want to pick up the phone and tell you something funny, or answer the phone and hear you tell me something funny. Love you, MQ

Mom, thanks for all those Valentines tucked into our lunchboxes! You made every holiday special, and you never forgot a birthday. How lucky we were to have you. XXOO

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM-!

your words came out of Jim's mouth today as we were problem-solving and he told me to "let it go"

maybe we aren't physical beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having an earthly experience

love always MQ

Dear Mom,
It has now been 3 years since you left this earth and everyone misses you so much. I miss your calls and letters! I think of you whenever I get a really good Scrabble word! Thank you for all the wisdom, laughter and understanding, for stopping the car to move turtles off the road, for reading books for the blind, for giving gallons of blood, for teaching me how to read, swim, bowl, diaper babies, love libraries, forgive idiots. I have kept your secrets and am working on keeping the promises. If only we could have one more cup of coffee together!
If there is a mail box in Heaven, I hope you get this letter. Love always, MQ

Yesterday it was two years since you left. I know you wanted to live to be 100 but I guess God had other plans. I am only glad that you are out of the extreme physical pain, I can hear you right now saying, "what pain?" OK, so the Southern Lady became a tough Yankee. You're a very hard act to follow, you know!

At the Carlton County Fair this year the agate man said, "You must be Mary's daughter!" And at the cafe across the street the owner said to me,
"You must be Mary's daughter!" I was so astonished and proud, yes I am Mary's daughter. If only I could be as
wise, graceful, tactful and full of optimism as you were!

We all miss you so much, your Yankee children who will love you forever.
Ya, I know, "mush." XXXOOO

Mom---we all wish we could come to your house and see the miraculous 25 lb. turkey that you put in the oven @ 6:00am! But nooo, you've moved to a place of perpetual room service + no dirty dishes. Miss you soooooo much. MQ

Happy birthday in heaven! It was very weird to be in Cumberland without you, the baga fries didn't even taste right! Your new grand-daughter has your name and your black curly hair! We are all so happy for J + L and we miss you so much. XXXOOO MQ

It,s the time of year we @stipe shows remember terribly. The loss of the most wonderful women in the world happened this time last year and it still effects me greatly. I came out this summer with a longing to have Ms. Stipe come and say hello in her "Motherly Way". She is missed by all for this i am certain. Mostly by none other than myself. To the woman who made a man of me , I miss ya greatly , especially the words of wisdom you always were happy to share .

You are missed so much,
Christopher Rohling and Lynn Rohling

They say our memories sustain us, and our memories haunt us. I was so lucky to have you for so long but I never wanted to let go. I can hear you say, "oh, get over it!" in your ever-practical New England ancestor's way, but it's hard to do, life and death remain a mystery to me and I am unable to find solace in loss. You did such a good job and I know God gave you an A+ for your life. I'm also sure you know you have a new grandchild coming! Let us rejoice in this affirmation of life! Wish you were here. MQ

Mom,
How I miss your constant positive reinforcement! I loved how you said,"ALL of my children are good-looking and clever!" to anyone who asked. I wish I could talk to you one more time, I miss you so much. Are you watching the rebuilding of the 35W bridge? I think of you every day when I drive by it. Love always,
Kathy

Bruce
I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I remember hearing so many wonderful stories about her from you...she will be missed. We are all thinking of you and your family!

Dear Stipe Family,

I was saddened to hear of Aunt Mary's passing. My mother Carolyn (formerly Ramsey) spoke very highly of her and I have fond memories of meeting her and you all on my trip to Minnesota with my granddaddy in 1990. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Stipe Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I can say that she was always an inspiration to me in her abiding faith, wisdom and knowledge. I wish you all well and thank you for the good times we all had together. What a wonderful family to count as close friends. I will always remember the great talks I had with your mother. Her life is truly inspirational and well lived. To God be the Glory!

John (Lisa)
We are deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayer are with you and your family.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR MOTHER. TODAY SHE IS CELEBRATING HER FIRST BIRTHDAY WITH OUR LORD AND HER LOVED ONES. AND I WONDER, DO THEY HAVE CHOCOLATE CAKE IN HEAVEN? SURELY GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THE GREATEST GIFT BY CALLING YOU HOME AND ENDING YOUR DISCOMFORT. I WILL MISS THE SOUND OF YOUR WALKER ROLLING DOWN THE HALL EACH MORNING, I WILL MISS READING THE PAPER AND DRINKING OUR FIRST CUP OF COFFEE TOGETHER. THE BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS ARE FED AND THE CHILDREN ARE ADJUSTING TO THE GREAT HOLE IN OUR LIVES. BRIAN IS SO SAD TO LOSE YOU. MY GIFT TO YOU THIS DAY IS I REGISTERED FOR A CLASS TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW. YOUR GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE TO ME IS FIND YOUR TALENTS, AND DEVELOP THEM. I WILL NOW TAKE THE TIME TO NURTURE MYSELF AS I HAVE NURTURED YOU, JUST LIKE I PROMISED.
I WILL NEVER HEAR A BAGPIPER AGAIN WITHOUT THINKING OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL DAY. I WILL KEEP MY CHIN UP MOM, AND REMEMBER ALL THE LESSONS OF YOU.
LOVE FOREVER, #8 ELIZABETH

John & Family,
Sorry to hear about your mom, our thoughts are with you and your family.

Mom read the paper every day of her
life for 70+ years, so I'm sure she
is now reading this from Heaven. Before "Bulletin Board" there was the Paul Light Column, and she was
a frequent contributor with her excellent observations and stories
both funny and sad. Most people
think their mom is the greatest,
but ours really was. She took care of us with intelligence,
kindness and humor. She said, "When
there is a choice, always do the
kindest thing." Mom came to Minnesota from the South by herself
when she was 19, not knowing anyone
but Dad. She never saw snow or a frozen lake, never held a baby,
and she sure as heck never saw a
carnival before, but she rolled up
her sleeves and did whatever it took to operate a family business
and learn how to scrape ice off a
windshield and make supper every
night for 10-15 people. She used to come to St. Pius Elementary School dressed in her Emmett Kelley clown suit and tell all the
kids to spend more time in the
library. I never met a person who didn't like her. The best advice she ever gave me was, "if you can read, you can do anything." We feel like the heart
has been ripped out of our family
but we will try to do as she would
have wished: to love each other,
to be kind to the children, and
to not talk with food in our mouths. Eternal love from
your firstborn, your experimental
model, Mary Kathleen

Jim and Family... My prayers and sympathy are extended to you and your family during this time of loss. Your parents were very special people and I am happy that I was able to know them thru SPX.

To the Stipe Family,

When we heard about the loss of your mother it sparked many memories for us Mueller children. Each of us has our own special memories, but we all remember:

Mary’s love of reading. She always had a book close at hand, either sitting on the table by her chair in the living room, or tucked in her bag for the many, many trips to Ramsey Beach, or the St. Croix (Roxanne, Beth and Jim will remember the great rope swing we played on for hours there!).

Mary’s love of children. She spent so much of her time with her own children and the neighborhood kids. Paul, Amy and I (Sue) remember many trips in the stations wagon, sitting on each others laps, or piled on top of each other in the way back seat. Windows down, no seat belts, having a great time. Going to some place or another – usually with a picnic lunch packed – of course our pop was wrapped in aluminum foil to keep it cold!

We remember her driving us to swimming lessons at John Glen high school, or to Memorial Beach where many of us got the dreaded “itch”. Of course Mary always had a bottle of calamine lotion handy.

And, of course we remember our time at the Carnival. Sitting on the rides for hours, working at the ticket booth, or if you were really lucky in the cotton candy trailer.

We remember lots of free caramel apples and popcorn balls.

We remember sitting in the station wagon at some unknown house while Mary hit a garage sale – she loved a garage sale!

We remember her love of animals – the dogs, the cats, the fish, and don’t forget the snakes (!).

We remember playing down by Goose Lake and knowing it was time to come home for lunch or dinner when Mary rang the bell by the back door.

We remember having tournaments on the pool table in your basement.

We remember playing “kick the can” or “annie, annie, over” on warm summer evenings.

We remember your mother fondly.

We hope that your own wonderful memories will help you during this time of sorrow.

Our sympathies to all of you on the loss of a great mother.

The Mueller Children: Joan, Roger, Mark, Sue, Paul and Amy

Bruce and Family,

Bruce, I was sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. The obituary spells out many of the same qualities you have. The greatest gift a Mother can give are her love and wonderful traits. You were blessed with both. You are in our prayers at this difficult time.

Dear Stipe Family,

I count among the greatest joys of my life listening to Mary tell her stories. Andrew and I were last minute guests, but Mary welcomed us as if we had always been sitting at her life table. And what a life it was.

I am privileged to have known her. She lives on in you all.

Love and Peace,
Karen Taulelle

DeColores Bruce, Jaci and families
So sorry to hear about your Mom. May the love of our Lord and the promise of paradise bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.

Barry and all your family
Sorry to hear about Grandma. Kip and I learnt so much from her over those summers on the carnival. Had some good times too. Like the time she made me a birthday cake. Those were some good times.
Peter & Kip Trusler

Stipe children, I was so sorry to hear the news of your mothers passing. She was always a very special person to our family, especially my parents who always thought of her with great admiration and affection. She (and your Dad) had a lot in common with my folks, both having large families in this day and age, and I’m glad for the happy times they shared. The family values were similar and close knit. Know that she will be thought of often and fondly and never forgotten.
Sandee (Yeager) Pomplun

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To the Stipe Family:
Our prayers and our hearts go out to all of you. Mary meant the world to Chris and I always admired her wisdom and strength. The memories she has left will forever be cherished and remembered.

The Stipe family:
We are deeply sorry for your loss.Grandma Stipe was a women that had an influende on all of us, in many ways.She will never be forgotten.

To the Stipe Family: I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I had the pleasure of knowing her many years ago, and, she was always very kind to me. I am sending you all much love and my strongest support now in your time of need. I am so sorry for your loss, take care.
Ken Schaffer

John, Lisa and the Stipe family,
My thoughts and prays are with you in your time of sorrow. Remember all the good times you and your family had with your Mom.

Roxie,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. It has been years since we have spoken, but I think about you and the girls and often wonder how you are doing...

Bruce, Jaci and family - I'm so sorry for your loss - mothers are one of the most precious gifts God gives us. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Your friend, Marsha Gilliland

John, Lisa and the Stipe family-

John, We are so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this trying time. Take comfort in the memories that you shared with your Mom. God Bless, The Gunderson Family

To all of Mary's family, I am so sorry for your loss. Mary was a wonderful woman. I bowled with her for many years at the Maplewood Bowl. I will pray for you all during this most difficult time.

Bruce, Jaci and Family: I was sorry to hear of Mary's passing. From what we heard of her, her life was full and she was very much loved. There never seems to be enough time to spend with those we love before they're gone. She'll be smiling down on you all and I'm sure, watching over you as well.

Mrs. Stipe,
When I was young, I would always be welcome at your home.
One of my first ( Baby-Sitters ) was Linda. She had a certain game that when I had my own children, I use-to play the ( Shoe-Man ) game with them.
Barry would put Allan and I on the ( Scrambler ); when that ride was set-up in the back yard on County Road F; and and just leave us for about an 1/2 an Hour.
Bruce became our Deacon at our Church for awhile,when we lived in Oakdale.
Kathy, when I was young, was always dressed-up in her ( Hippy- Style ) clothes. This was back in the Sixties.
Billy always helped out at the carnival.
These were the first 5 Stipe children.
I grew-up with Roxanne,Allan,Beth,Jim, and John.

Mrs. Stipe would always have somthing for us Kids to do.
Allan and I would collect coins when we were young, and Mrs. Stipe would allow us to search through the vast-amount of (Pennys),that came from the Carnival. Sometimes, the pet-Boxer (Honey) would get lose, and us Kids would chase her for Hours, trying to catch her.
Mrs. Stipe gave me a life-long Hobby, that I still do today, and have passed-on to my Kids. (Aquariums)
I have many more stories, but people should ask me in person for those.

Mrs. Stipe, I will miss you.

Jim Eng

Barry and family
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, your Mom was always such a part of the Stipe's Show and will always be remembered for her part of the business. Remember all the children that the business has made smile and laugh, it is what made her smile and laugh too.
Sharon and Mike and the Hennepin County Fair Board