Daisy Mae Stahlberg

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Daisy Mae Stahlberg, age 90, died peacefully at home in Alexandria, MN on
October 9, 2025, with her family around her.
Daisy was born to Theodore and Janet Wirch, (Keith) on a farm outside of Kulm, North Dakota on March 27, 1935. She grew up with two older sisters and a younger brother and attended both grade and high schools in Kulm. After high school, she attended college but paused those plans to marry Ronald Stahlberg in 1954. They were married for 66 years and had five children and one grandchild.
Daisy completed her schooling while raising her children, earning her bachelor's degree in Business Education from Moorhead State in 1970. In 1973, her master's degree in Early Adolescent Education from NDSU in 1973 and her Reading Consultant Certification in 1987.
Daisy loved reading and dedicated her career to helping students develop a love of reading. Whether it was by training teachers, coming up with new and inventive ideas (joining in a pet parade or sending the principal up in a hot air balloon) or convincing principals to get on board, her goal was to get kids reading more.
When Ron and Daisy moved to Alexandria in 1980, she became Reading Director for St. Mary's Elementary School and organized the first professional reading council in a 4-county area, serving as its President, and writing grants to establish a storytelling society for the local community.
Daisy loved teaching reading so much that she retired three times, which prompted her son to ask if she did it for the retirement parties. A principal she worked with said Daisy thought the "Rule of 90" meant you had to be 90 to retire. Daisy did not slow down, even in retirement.
Whenever there was a chance to learn something new, Daisy signed up. She was a Master Gardener, a board member at Theatre L'Homme Dieu and an Angel Care Volunteer at First Congregational United Church of Christ. She took classes through Senior College, was a Storyteller and participated in many clubs, including Newcomers, Cooking Club, Dinner Club, and Book Club. She sang in nursing homes with The Geneva Belles choir and acted in historical musicals.
Daisy was passionate about many causes. In her 60's, she rode in The AIDS Bike Ride from Minneapolis to Chicago to raise money for AIDS awareness. She applied for the Teacher in Space Program, and participated in many outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, snow shoeing and dog sledding as part of the Outdoor Women program.
Daisy enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her adult children. She spent time with them and friends in Tucson, AZ, traveled overseas and around the U.S. and loved to learn about other cultures. Daisy had a big heart and was especially compassionate towards children. She served in a teacher exchange program in Ecuador and in Scotland and opened her home to international students.
She was a proud Democrat and was active in political matters, often engaging people in conversation and debate. She was kind and open-hearted and was determined to love everyone, even those with whom she disagreed.
Daisy loved to read and discuss books and was always curious and fearless. She approached life with gusto and was a catalyst for change. She will be remembered by family and friends as a kind, creative, compassionate person with endless energy who was involved in everything. She was a spark who was loved by so many.
Daisy was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Stahlberg, sister, Mary Ann Bartell, and brother, Theodore Wirch, ll. She is survived by daughters, Robin Stahlberg (Minneapolis), Janet Stahlberg Hammer (Garfield), Jennifer Stahlberg (Minneapolis), Dawn Stahlberg (Tim Thornes) (Boise, Idaho), son Bruce Stahlberg (Sandra Seeman) (Minneapolis), beloved granddaughter, Lillian Stahlberg (New York, NY) and sister, Janet Lee Wirch (Copan, OK), as well as many nieces and nephews who adored her.
Daisy's funeral service will be held on December 20th, 2025, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria, MN. Memorials are preferred to Douglas County Hospice and First Congregational UCC Mission Committee for the Children of Gaza.