Caledonia Argus

Posted: 5/3/04

Stella J. (Evans) Happel

Stella J. (Evans) Happel, 93, of rural Houston, MN died on Friday, April 30, 2004 at Lutheran Home in Caledonia. She was born August 22, 1910 on South Ridge, rural La Crescent to Sheldon J. and Sophia C. (Lind) Evans. She graduated from Caledonia High School in 1927, and from Winona Teachers College in 1929. She taught in rural schools and married Wesley C. Happel on June 14, 1932. She achieved her Bachelors Degree from Winona State College and taught at Houston Public Elementary School remedial reading; and retired after 25 years. She also assisted her husband in farming throughout the years.

She was a member of South Ridge United Methodist Church and its womenís organization. Stella was also a member of the Houston County Historical Society and Fire Warden for Houston County. She enjoyed reading and writing; she wrote a book/guide on teaching reading, ìStellaís No Nonsense Cookbookî, and many articles for the Houston Gazette in a column titled, ìYesterday, Today, and Tomorrowî. She worked on writing three family trees and her churchís history.

She is survived by two daughters; Yvonne (Julian) Nichols, Sacramento, CA and Charlotte (Larry) Braniff, Houston, 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter Karen, one son Charles, one grandson, three brothers and two sisters.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5 at South Ridge United Methodist Church in rural La Crescent, with Rev. Lora Sturm officiating. Burial will be in Loretta Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. at Hoff Funeral Homes-Houston Chapel and one hour before the service at the church.

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