Louise Straub Farewell

Louise Straub Farewell

Louise Straub died Friday, January 11.  January 20 - Memorial Service for Louise Straub 2:00pm, Church Sanctuary with a reception to follow in the Church Center. (Childcare will be provided.)  Condolences to the family may be sent to the to meeksmortuary.com (Meeks Mortuary in Muncie, Indiana).  Calling hours are in the Church Center on Saturday, 4:00-6:00pm.

A Note from Louise Dear Friends, I have some news to share. In the first part of July, I will be moving to Muncie, IN to be near my daughter Polly. I will be living at Westminster Village which is a lovely facility with Presbyterian origins. I will miss my church home of 50 years in Potsdam. I find comfort in knowing I have a church home to go to in Muncie where I have been a visitor for 16 years. My new address will be: Westminster Village 5801 W. Bethel Avenue Muncie, IN 47304 Polly's e-mail address is pspengler@comcast.net You all mean a great deal to me and I hope to stay in touch with you. With love, Louise Straub

Polly Straub Spengler visiting her mom, Louise Straub, 09/03/06

Louise Straub (one of our new 50+ Years Members) and her son, Bill Straub, 06/10/07

A Thoughtful Prayer Shared in Church - July 1, 2007

On the Occassion of Louise Straub's Moving from Potsdam

- by her son, Peter

A gift of my numerous visits to care for Mom this year has been the opportunity to worship with you. We only come from one home church. My worshiping with you today may well be my last time in this sanctuary for a while, and my heart compels me to ask you to join in a celebration and a concern.

I ask you to join me for a prayer of celebration.

Three weeks ago in this sanctuary, three members of this congregation were recognized for 50 years of membership in this church family, Louise among them. For the young, 50 years might well seem close to an eternity, yet when one lives with a true passion and profound love for one's family and greater family, time can seem to last but an instant. In the same light, through being a member of a dear church community that understands that, as His children, on Earth we experience God's Love through our freely giving love to those around us, and, from those around us receiving that same love as we live out our lives. Through that communion, we are His vessels, and we are our bretheren's keeper. The aching timeless intensity we can experience through our daily lives by loving each other gives us an opportunity to glimpse into the Infinity of God's Love for us, the Love that sent His Son to us.

For the indescribable Love that has served as the wellspring for our family and its dear life in Potsdam, I humbly offer this prayer of celebration.

I also ask for a prayer of concern - a concern for me, but I think others, too.

It is my prayer that as my family and our dear friends experience the deep weight of impending separation, God's grace will release us into the peace of understanding that what we feel comes not from saddness, but, in truth, from the profound joy for the blessings of Love that have been received, lived out, and shared through out the 50 years of our being part of Potsdam and the 1st Presbyterian Church.

In His Love we humbly rejoice and find strength. Our cup runneth over.

AMEN

Louise Straub and her son Peter Straub, 11/26/06

A Note About Louise Straub

Dear First Presbyterian Friends,

I am writing on behalf of my mother, Louise Straub, and want to thank you for your cards and letters. She really feels held up by your good thoughts and prayers. If you like to e-mail, I print those messages and take them to her. My e-mail address is: pspengler@comcast.net. Her street address:

Louise Straub
Westminster Health Center,
5801 W. Bethel Ave.
Muncie, IN 47304.

Mom is settling into her new home at Westminster. Her room is really comfortable, and is filled with special furniture and art that we moved from Potsdam. She has made new friends, and is well cared for by the wonderful nurses and aides. It is a really good place for her to live. She participates in activities every day and enjoys good meals in the dining room. We take walks outside to the pond where we can feed the families of ducks and swans. We are both so grateful that she is only 10 minutes away from me now. I visit her every day, and we get to church most Sundays. Susan and Bill have each been here twice, and Peter will have a chance to come in October.

Although Mom is not able to write back, she would be so pleased to continue to hear from you. She loves to hear Potsdam news, and it reminds her of the love from home. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness, and please keep her in your prayers.

---Polly Straub Spengler