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Last updated Apr 20, 2012 7:16pm0

Ruth Ann’s Mother, Marie Suhrbier

A dear lady there in Wilson Creek, sweet, gentle and so kind,

lost her son, her house and husband, but she never lost her mind.

Sadly---out on the family farm, Marie lost her only son.

Ken was in his teens, so handsome, honest, full of fun.

It humbled each and everyone, in our little town, quite small.

One couldn’t find a dry eye, young or old, as I recall.

Then---just two very short years later, came the ‘57 flood.

It filled our town with water, it covered everything with mud.

Marie’s home was washed away, it sat crooked, at a tilt.

It was totally destroyed, full of water, mud and silt.

And not too long thereafter, husband Willis passed away,

succumbing to a heart attack, on that sad and fateful day.

Now there’s just Marie, and a lovely daughter, named Ruth Ann,

who was a 12 year classmate, and a faithful “Devils” fan.

Despite tragic catastrophes, Marie remained so very strong.

Dear God, why was she made to suffer, she never once did any wrong.

Yet, etched upon her lovely face, this grand lady always wore a smile.

She was truly genuine, through tribulations and each trial.

So, now I ask the question, just how much can one endure,

and still retain their sanity, which was hard to do, I’m sure.

She worked there in the store, she cooked hot lunches at the school.

She slaved there in the restaurant, she lived by the Golden Rule.

One thing I’ll not forget, the tone of her soft and gentle voice,

and when those Pearly Gates were opened, the angels surely did rejoice!

This hard working lady was a dear, the sweetest you will ever find.

After losing son, house and husband, Marie never---lost her---mind!

Arley M. Bischoff

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