Emma “Mimi” Frankenfeld was the daughter of a German Evangelical pastor in St. Charles. She became a pastor’s wife. They raised three boys, all of whom got doctor’s degrees, although none could prescribe medicine! Humility and austerity were, for Mimi, works of righteousness, proving her faith in God. Humility meant turning the attention away from herself. When anyone tried to take her picture, she stuck out her tongue! Austerity meant when she received a box of fancy chocolates as a gift, she would save them for others to enjoy, never eating one for herself. I knew her as Grandma Paul.
 
Wilhelmina “Minnie” Ziegler was needed on the farm near Hamel, so she was not allowed to go to school after sixth grade. She married a farmer. They raised two girls and a boy on their farm. She gathered, candled, sorted, and sold eggs from 500 chickens. Hard work was, for Minnie, the work of righteousness, proving her faith in God. When she was 85 and scheduled to have cancer surgery, she climbed two fences and walked through a cow pasture to visit neighbors. When asked why she didn’t ask for a ride, she said, “I ain’t afraid of no cows!” Minnie mowed the grass around her farmhouse into her 90s. I knew her as Grandma Stahlhut.
 
Marilyn Stahlhut grew up near Hamel, Illinois. A secretary, she married a pastor. Eventually she returned to school. Between raising three boys and adopting two girls, Marilyn took college classes for ten years before earning her degree. She taught science at a Junior High School in Troy, Illinois, for fifteen years. She once had a pet tarantula. Later she had an iguana which grew nearly five feet long! After retiring, Marilyn volunteered for the St. Louis Zoo, taking zoo animals (including snakes) to elementary school classrooms in the area. I know her as Mom.
 
As Mother’s Day approaches, I thank God for the blessings of these strong women in my life. I know Mother’s Day is difficult for some – those unable to become mothers, those who have lost their mothers, those with difficult relationships with their mothers, and mothers who have lost a child, to name a few. I pray that we all have been inspired by strong women, spiritual mothers who have cared for us, challenged us, and taught us with their vision of the works of righteousness.
 
Peace,
Pastor Tim