Mae Fredaborg (Nelson) Stibbe was born in Duluth, Minn., on May 24, 1920, to Hugo and Signe Nelson. She went to be with her Lord Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. She died at the Baptist Health Care facility in Lenoir City, Tenn.
She grew up in Big Falls, Minn., with her sister, Elsie.
Mae went to school in Big Falls where she lettered in basketball. They played basketball above Gordon’s Hardware Store.
She graduated from Big Falls High School in 1938.
Mae married Edmund Stibbe on Oct. 14, 1949. They lived a short time in Effie, Minn., then moved to Big Falls where they lived for most of their 54 years of marriage.
Mae and Edmund owned and operated the Red Owl grocery store in Big Falls for 27 years. She was a business woman and loved numbers.
Mae will be remembered for devotion to her family, friends, community, her generous hospitality, and her quick wit.
Mae had many friends over the years with whom she shared many hours of fun, games, shopping, working, playing, church activities and most important her love of laughter. Mae loved life and lived it to the fullest. She looked for the positive side of every challenge and taught us all how to laugh.
Mae was a charter member of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Big Falls. She was very involved in her church, being Sunday School superintendent, teaching, singing, playing in a string band and attending services.
Mae was also a charter member of the Gideon’s International Auxiliary in Bemidji, Minn.
She worked in the community, and was a leader in her church. Mae loved her Heavenly Father. She became a Christian at a young age and served Him throughout her life.
After Edmund’s death in 2004 and an illness in 2005, Mae moved to Knoxville, Tenn., to live with her daughter, Margaret and Larry.
In 2010 she moved to Baptist Health Care Center in Lenoir City, Tenn., where she resided until her death.
She loved all the activities, singing groups, messages, and everything that was available there. But most of all she loved the caregivers who were so good to her during her stay. We thank them so much for their kind and loving care.
Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Signe Nelson; an infant brother, Erik; sister, Elsie Tamte; and husband of 54 years, Edmund.
Mae is survived by her three children, Margaret (Larry) Hogrefe, David (Cheryl) Stibbe and Mark (Miriam) Stibbe; nine grandchildren, Kris (Cheri) Hogrefe, Kathi (David) Mitchell, Hanna and Zach Stibbe, Joel (Caitlin), Julianna, John, Jayson and Jared Stibbe; five great-grandchildren, Denver, Brady and Roman Hogrefe and Gavin and Graelyn Mitchell; her sister-in -law, Leone Johnson; and many nieces, nephews and many special friends, all of whom will miss her.
She loved family and loved all of her kids.
Funeral services for her life will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Big Falls Evangelical Covenant Church. Visitation will begin one hour prior.
A celebration luncheon will follow the service at the Big Falls Community Building.
Arrangements are by Cease Funeral Home, Blackduck MN, www.ceasefuneralhome.com; and McGill-Karnes Funeral Home, Loudon, TN, www.mcgillkarnes.com.
