Posted: 12/12/07
Stemper honored to be named
"Outstanding Citizen"
By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
Ask Lois Stemper if she feels she deserves to be named as one of Caledonia Founder's Day Outstanding Citizens, and the modest mother of seven will tell you "there are a lot more people who deserve this. I am just doing what I love, helping others."
Look more closely, however, it is apparent why she, along with Kermit McRae, was chosen for the award.
Stemper works closely with the Red Cross, and is a Parish Nurse at St. Mary's. She is also a Eucharistic Minister.
It is people like Stemper, who when the floods hit back in August, began immediately helping others. She also lent her time and talents to those people who were effected by the wildfires in California.
"I get bored," she said. "I can't do the same thing two days in a row. I need a challenge. It keeps me running. I like to do that."
And it just so happens those challenges that she seeks out tend to be acts which benefit others.
"There are a million people more deserving of this than I am," she said. "I just don't set out for the recognition."
She came here in 1961
Stemper moved to Caledonia from La Crosse in 1961 after graduating with a degree in nursing.
"It was quite a transition," she recalls. "In La Crosse you could remain anonymous, and here everyone knew you all around town."
Now, however, Stemper said she wouldn't trade her life for all the anonymity in the world.
"Life is good," she said of the ever present peace in rural Minnesota. "I would not want to move away. This is my home."
Loves surprises but...
Family and friends all worked together in concealing the fact that Stemper had won the award. Her friend Bonnie Laumb made sure that she made it to the ceremony.
Her family was all in attendance but Stemper never caught on to the honor she was about to receive.
"It was a surprise all the way when they called my name," she laughed. "A good surprise."
Therefore she didn't have much of a speech prepared for her acceptance.
"It was very short," she recalls. "I said how I enjoy working with people and helping others and how I love surprises, but I don't know about this one..." she laughed. "I did thank everyone for the honor."
Her criteria
Each year former winners of the award nominate and select a new winner. When asked what qualities she will now be looking for in all future Outstanding Citizens, Stemper noted: "They should be a positive, upbeat person and they should be giving and energetic."
Appreciative of the fact she won, but still modest in that she does what comes natural to her, Stemper closed by saying "I really don't think I should've gotten the award. I am just doing what I like to do. Helping people makes me happy."
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