Magdalen M. Stahl

STAHL, MAGDALEN M., 92 of Sebring, FL, on Nov. 6, 2014 the Lord put his arms around a beautiful angel, for Magdalen has been called home to the heavenly kingdom of God. She was born on July 12, 1922 in Milwaukee, WI. She married her soul mate, Curtis P. Stahl on May 26, 1945 and they had 64 beautiful years together. Curtis passed from this life on Magdalen's birthday, July 12, 2009. They shared a beautiful love story unlike any other. Between the years 1938 and 1945, Curtis and Magdalen were pen pals. They met when Curtis saw Magdalen's beautiful face in a newspaper article. He lived in Arkansas; she lived in Wisconsin. War and distance kept the apart; but love kept them together forever. Today they were reunited in Paradise. She is preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Stahl, Jr, her son, John Joseph Stahl, parents, Joseph and Josephine Polacheck, sisters, Lillian, Florence and brother, George. Magdalen is survived by her daughter, JoMarie (Jerry), son Jerry (Denise), Philip (Janice) and Michael (Gerri). Granddaughter, Kerri Nichols, USAF, and many other grandchildren and great grandchildren. Magdalen started teaching when she was nine-years-old! She was always the "teacher" when playing school with the neighborhood children and would even go so far as to knock on doors for students! She taught many of the younger neighborhood children to read, spell, and do arithmetic. Teaching is the gift God gave her and was her purpose and meaning in this life. She graduated from State Teacher's College in Milwaukee, WI and did her "Internship" at three different schools her first year of teaching. She said, "They told me I didn't have to but I told them I wanted to experience every aspect of teaching!" So, she taught that first year in a one room school house in a poor section of Milwaukee. She had a mixture of grades and ages, first through fifth grade level. From here she went to teach at an inner city elementary school and then on to a richer part of town. She continued teaching like this, where needed, until she married and had her first baby boy. Two years later, another baby boy arrived, and then still another, and finally a girl, followed by another boy! Though she remained constantly busy during the days with five small children and working her parent's grocery store, she also continued to teach night school English to the American Citizenship of countless individuals who fled such countries as Poland, Hungry, Germany, and Austria after World War II. At the age of Ninety-one, Magdalen's fourth year as a Catechist at St. Catherine Parish, she was awarded the honor of Catechist of the Year 2013. Children of all ages and all grades gravitated toward her. They knew a dedicated and caring teacher when they saw one! She was a Catechist who taught the Word of God with Passion, Love and Creativity. She was woman who dedicated over 70 years to teaching children our faith. Known to her class as "Mrs. Maggie." She was a retired second grade teacher with the Archdioceses of Miami and she had just recently received her Catechist Certification with the Diocese of Venice. Here is what one of her students said one evening when Mrs. Maggie couldn't make it to class because she was sick: I missed Mrs. Maggie. She was a reminder of Love and Peace. It's empty in here without her." Love and Peace. That is what best defined her...a woman who had always walked in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Many People say there is nothing like a mother's love, and they are right. "My mother," said her daughter, JoMarie, "was a wonderful person who showed love to everyone she came in contact with. She was caring and beautiful inside and out. She loved life, her family, and her friends. My mother taught me to do the same. She raised me to be a strong woman, just as she was. One of my favorite memories of my mother is when she would tell stories of when I was a little girl. Then, I saw in her eyes the love sh had for me. I love you, Mom, but don't worry because I will see you again one day. Rest in Peace, my mother, my best friend, my beautiful angel. I know you are watching over us every day." Finally, here is a quote from Henri Nouwen that was read to Magdalen shortly before she passed. Love is eternal. Love comes from God and returns to God. When we die, we will lose everything that life gave us except love. The love with which we lived our lives is the life of God within us. It is the divine, indestructible core of our being. This love not only will remain but will also bear fruit from generation to generation. When we approach our deaths let us say to those we leave behind, "Don't let you heart be troubled. The love of God that dwells in my heart will come to you and offer you consolation and comfort." Wherever she was, that became the best place in the world to be. Visitation 4-6, Sunday at Morris Funeral Chapel and a Mass will be celebrated 9 am, Monday at St. Catherine Catholic Church. Burial 12 noon at Charlotte Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda, FL.




Preceded In Death By

Curtis Stahl, Jr, Husband
John Joseph Stahl, Son
Joseph Polacheck, Father
Josephine Polacheck, Mother
Lillian, Sister
Florence, Sister
George, Brother

Survived By

JoMarie (Jerry), Daughter
Jerry (Denise), Son
Philip (Janice), Son
Michael (Gerri), Son
Kerri Nichols, Granddaughter
many other grandchildren
great grandchildren.

Facts

Date Of Birth: July 12, 1922
Place Of Birth: Milwaukee, WI
Place Of Death: Sebring, FL
Date Of Death: November 6, 2014.

Services

Visitation 4-6, Sunday at
Morris Funeral Chapel and
a Mass will be celebrated 9 am,
Monday at St. Catherine Catholic Church.
Burial 12 noon at Charlotte Memorial Gardens,
Punta Gorda, FL.



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