Edithe C. Stolper

Edithe C. Stolper "Edie" made the move from her earthly home to her heavenly one on August 27, 2025 just 3 weeks shy of her 91st birthday. She was born in Sheboygan, WI on September 21, 1934 to Gottlieb and Frieda (Vogt) Dietz, and was the youngest of 6 girls. She often said that after her arrival, her father finally gave up trying to have a son.

Edie's childhood was particularly unique because her father owned a music store, and their home was often directly connected to the building where the business was. This meant that her days were filled with the sound of music, from accordions to clarinets and pianos and drums. As she got older, she was expected to help out in the store, which often made it difficult to participate in the usual school and social activities. However, it did allow her to meet many of the big band musicians who came to play in town – well-known names in the music scene of that era.

Edie always believed that her meeting her future husband was truly God-planned, as one day he happened to drive past the music store, saw her and a girlfriend standing on the corner, and stopped to ask if they'd like to take a ride in his new car – a Chevy. That chance meeting led her to marrying him – Harold Stolper of Plymouth – on May 16, 1953. Four days after their wedding, she watched him walk away to the bus station – a soldier with his duffle bag in tow. Edie eventually joined him in Olympia, Washington and then San Francisco until he received the news that he was being stationed in Germany. With a baby now on the way, she made the hard decision to remain in the States and live with her parents while he went overseas. When his service ended and he returned home, he saw his child for the first time at one year old.

Their life together finally began in earnest and they settled in Plymouth, Wisconsin. 2 more children arrived and Edie dedicated herself to their upbringing and to homemaking. Through the years she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, Campfire Girl and 4-H leader, Junior Women's club officer, school Red Cross nurse, prayer chain organizer and Bible study leader. She was always there for her family, sacrificing her needs for theirs. She ultimately went back to work – first at Rexall Drug and then Red Owl grocery, jobs which helped provide the resources for college tuition. She eventually welcomed 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, for whom a wall of the house was gladly knocked down to make the living room bigger for family gatherings.

Edie and her husband celebrated 60 years of marriage before he died in 2013. Their brick house on Bruns Avenue was her home for 67 years, and the door was always open. Many former neighbors, paper boys, friends and children of friends continued to freely stop in to visit through the years, even up to the day she recently had to leave her home. Her gift of listening, encouragement and gentle advice-giving drew people to her and made them want to spend time with her.

Her life story would not be complete without the mention of two more things. First, her pride in her German Russian heritage. As a child, her father, siblings and family emigrated from the Volga River region of Russia in 1910, settling in Sheboygan. Along with other Russian-dwelling Germans, he brought much of the culture, music and food with him., and these traditions were deeply part of Edie's identity. A more important part of her identity however, was her assurance that she was God's child. Her faith in Jesus alone as her Redeemer and Savior was her anchor and hope, and He carried her through her life. Even as she recalled various heartaches, trials and losses that came her way during her 90 years, she often declared, "God has given me a gentle path."

Edie is survived by her three children: Debra Buchanan, Wendy Lundt, Scott Stolper and wife Tia. Her surviving family also includes 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchidren: Laura Hetland, Stephen Hetland, Nathan (Breanne) Lundt and child Oliver, Timothy (Samantha) Lundt and children Katie and Emily, Abigail (Jonathon) Weisse and children Amelia and Elijah, Christopher (Courtney) Stolper and children Braydon, Sophia and Aubrianne , Gregory (Janine) Stolper and children Arrowen and Theory. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold, and her 5 sisters.

A funeral service for Edie will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 11 am at St. John Lutheran Church, 222 N. Stafford Street, Plymouth, Pastor Andrew Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 3 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the church, and also on Thursday from 10am until time of service at 11am at Church. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to Chrissy at Senior Care, Leah at Sara Richardson Hospice, the Theda Care hospice team including Sarah, Lisa, and Stephanie (both of them). A special measure of gratitude to family friend James who loved mom as his own through the years.