Obituaries

Marie T. (Westhues) Staube

Photo of Marie T. (Westhues) Staube
Marie T. (nee Westhues) Staub, "Bebe", age 92, of Mahtomedi, Minn., died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at St. Andrews Village in Mahtomedi, surrounded by her loving family. She was born October 12, 1920, in Jefferson City Mo. to parents Henry and Helen Westhues. Bebe was the second of seven children: Rosemary, Jack, Marjorie, Jane, Elaine, and Marilyn. She graduated from St. Mary's College in Leavenworth, Kan. and taught in Eugene Mo. In 1951, Bebe met Henry P. Staub, a medical officer stationed at Fort Leonard Wood. They married later that year. Bebe and Henry shared a love of family, faith, humor, and adventure. For two years, they lived in Germany where Henry was stationed and daughter Doris was born. When Henry finished his Army service, they lived in Minneapolis and over the years Doris was joined by five more daughters. In 1970 the family moved to Buffalo, NY. Naoko Ikoma (Koizumi) from Hiroshima joined them as an AFS student and became a lifelong member of the family. They later returned to the Minneapolis area. After Henry died in 2011, Bebe moved to St. Andrews Village in Mahtomedi. Bebe and Henry loved entertaining, hiking, skiing, discussing issues of the day, and spending time at the cottage. There were many family games of scrabble, monopoly, and cards. They raised their daughters on joy and sunshine, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. Bebe read avidly, treasured the natural world, enjoyed crocheting, preparing delicious meals, and had a great sense of humor. Bebe took great delight in her children and grandchildren, kept up regular correspondence with far-flung family and friends, never complained, and always spoke kind words of thanks and appreciation throughout her long life. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Doris Petrie, Joanie and Andrew Mitchell, Barbara and Don Mitchell, Julie Cadwallader-Staub, Nancy Staub, Mimi and John Bowlin; 12 grandchildren, and sisters Marjorie, Jane, Elaine, and Marilyn. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry; an infant son; grandson, Andrew Mitchell; sons-in-law, Lloyd Petrie and Warren Cadwallader-Staub; brother, Jack, and sister, Rosemary. The family extends heartfelt thanks to PaHoua Yang and the staff at St. Andrews Village and Allina Hospice for Mom's excellent, loving care. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. Services will be held on Monday, July 15, at St. Andrews Village Chapel (220 East Ave., Mahtomedi, Minn.) at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the U of M Dept. of Pediatrics (Minnesota Medical Foundation, P.O. Box 64001, St. Paul, MN 55164); Habitat for Humanity, Trinity Lutheran Church (2001 Riverside Ave, Mpls; or. MN Landscape Arboretum for research or education (3675 Arboretum Dr., Chanhassen).

Published July 14, 2013