Lillian M. (Quirk) “Lil” Staebell

STOUGHTON-Lillian M. (Quirk) “Lil” Staebell, age 83, flew to the heavens on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, at Oregon Manor Nursing Home in Oregon, WI. Born on June 12, 1934, in Mineral Point, WI to Robert and Lillian (Prohaska) Quirk, she had five siblings, whom she enjoyed playing with or beating up on if you ask her younger sister, Shirley. Lil loved cross country skiing in the winters and found herself avoiding mine shafts as they were prevalent in Mineral Point when she was a child–quite the daredevil she was! Lil graduated from Mineral Point High School in 1952, and attended Madison Business College. By the age of 23, she and her husband, Bob, were caring for four young children, not to mention all their friends who chose the Staebell house as their favorite hangout spot. Throughout her life, Lil worked for the State of Wisconsin in various clerical roles, was the Payroll Manager for K-Mart located on the West Beltline Hwy, and retired from DIFCO Laboratories in Sun Prairie, WI. You could always find her with a treat in hand for one of her dogs, or any dog for that matter. She had lots of “Trixie’s” and one very special “Benji” who was her best friend up until the end. Lil was an avid seamstress, making clothes for her family that are something to be marveled even today. She had a real passion for reading and a special talent to have 2-3 books going at one time, all the while keeping each story in its place. As we write this, we’re reminded that she had A LOT of hobbies. The list goes on…playing piano, guitar, and accordion were her musical loves and they loved her right back as the music she gave us was beautiful. Every Christmas, she would play the piano for her family while we sang along to her melodies. Lil loved learning. She loved the process so much she tore through word search puzzles, Sudoku, and even taught herself Spanish well into her 70’s, just because she wanted to learn something new. Te amamos madre, hermana, abuela, tía, y amiga (We love you mother, sister, auntie, grandma, and friend). But most of all, we remember her laugh. The woman loved to laugh. Lil would start laughing, get on a roll and before we knew it, we were all in a fit of giggles. What a gift she shared–joy through laughter. In the end, we’ll remember Lily Mae (one of her nicknames we love the most), for her quiet strength, attention to detail, humility, secret-keeping ability (she was like a vault!), independence, and her spirituality and strong faith in God. We’d be remiss not to mention her Irish temper–we could never get one past her; way too quick for us she was! To the very end these characteristics held true–she was a soldier in life and will most certainly be our rock, our guide, and our sweet angel as she lives on in our memories and our laughter. A very special thank you to her sister, Shirley Page, for she not only cared for Lil late in her life, but she also gave Benji all kinds of love and care as well. Shirley helped her sister to live her days in the presence of love, peace, and best of all, lots of laughs. Shirley is an angel on earth and we’re so thankful for her selflessness and kindness. We also extend a compassionate thank you to Agrace HospiceCare for their assistance in making Lil’s final days comfortable. Lil’s surviving relatives include her son, Michael C. (Katie) Staebell; grandchildren, Brook (Chad) Baker, Travis (Meg) Staebell and Brett and Chelsea Staebell, daughter, Debra L. (Gary) Reitz; grandchild, Stefanie (Brett) Fenner; sister, Shirley Page; brothers, Robert (Melva) Quirk, Jerry (Barb) Quirk and Jim (Betty) Quirk; great-grandchildren, Braeden, Rylee, Michael and Macy Baker and Jovie Fenner; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is welcomed to heaven by her husband, Robert E. Staebell; sons, Gary and Bobby Staebell; parents, Robert P. Quirk and Lillian M. Quirk; brother-in-law, Charlie Page; Benji; her many Trixie’s; and other family and friends. We’ll miss you, Lily Mae, and we’ll remember to be strong and live our lives with a few more belly laughs as our tribute to you. A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 1150 Park Street, Oregon, at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Memorials may be sent to the family and will be distributed evenly between the Dane County Humane Society and Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

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