Emma Louise Wagner Stanislav 1925 - 2014
MORTENSEN, WAGNER, STANISLAV
Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/23/2014 at 14:12:24
Onawa Democrat
23 July 2014Emma Lou Stanislav, 88, of Onawa crossed over on Jul 10, 2014 at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.
Emma Louise (nee Wagner) Stanislav, affectionately known as “Emma Lou”, or “LouLou” by her grandchildren was born on November 27, 1925 in Woods Hollow, southeast of Turin, IA, to John and Louise (nee Mortensen) Wagner. Her early life was spent in the rural areas surrounding Turin, receiving her grade school education at the Hiawatha Country School. She attended 7th and 8th grades in Moorhead, IA. She knew at an early age she wanted to be a nurse, so would need the strong science curricula available at Onawa High School. At age 13 she made the choice to move to Onawa to live during the week, working for room and board so that she could graduate with her high school diploma. She went on to fulfill her dream and graduated in 1946 from St Joseph’s-Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City IA.
Nursing was her first love but it also lead to meeting her husband when she accepted a “special duty” assignment to Leonard Emil Stanislav’s seriously injured Uncle. As the weeks went by, Leonard fell in love with this “Angel of Mercy” and an equally smitten Emma Lou married him on her birthday in 1947. They made their home in Onawa, IA and to this union 3 children were born - Leon Edward, Eileen Louise, and Eva Laurie. Emma Lou soon became known for her nursing skills and calming bedside manner. Generations of grade-school kids preferred her “painless” immunizations! She worked nearly 3 decades in the outpatient clinical setting for Dr. Gingles, Drs. Gaukel and Wolpert, and other physicians who followed after their deaths. As an R.N., Emma Lou functioned more like today’s “nurse practitioner”. She was also the radiology tech, taking and developing all x-rays on her clinic days. She was both phlebotomist and lab tech, drawing vials of blood and viewing them microscopically in the clinic lab. She functioned as a phone nurse after hours. Even after her retirement she made herself available in the community providing gratis in-home care - diabetic foot care as an example. In addition to her clinic work in the days before any intensive care unit at the Onawa Hospital, Emma Lou took on “special duty” cases covering the night shift for critically ill patients. She was completely devoted to whatever case she accepted, whether it lasted one night or over a month. She cared for her patients’ physical and emotional well-being, which she extended to their families as well. She was held in high esteem by the medical communities of Onawa and Whiting. Later she served on the State Board overseeing care at Elmwood Nursing Home. Nursing and making life better for children were Emma Lou’s greatest passions throughout her adult life. She organized Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting (later Camp Fire Girls) events for the youth in Onawa. For her efforts in promoting Boy Scouts she received the prestigious “Silver Fawn” Award. A generation of boys and girls have memories of outings, and especially camping trips at Blue Lake and Preparation Parks. She demonstrated tremendous ability as a leader with an engaging personality that won parents, children and the community over. She has counseled innumerable youth as they navigated life challenges in a day when counselors were not mainstream professionals.
Throughout her adult life, her passion for Genealogy is of note. An earnest member of the DAR and the Mayflower Society, she also immensely enjoyed her active membership in the local Genealogy group until her death. She instilled a love of animals and all of nature throughout her life, often being relied upon by locals who would bring wounded birds and other wildlife for her to heal. Emma Lou was clearly a woman ahead of her time. She was a respected community leader and an honored professional. She loved to laugh, she loved adventure, and simply radiated when listening to her beloved Bluegrass music (missing only one “National Old Time Music Festival” over the past 27 years!) She loved travel and enjoyed learning about cultures of the world even if from her living room. She listened carefully to everyone’s individual story - caring deeply for people in all regards. She was a devoted daughter to her parents and was the caregiver among her siblings. A proud mother and attentive grand/great grandmother, she was faithfully married to her husband of 65 years.
She leaves to mourn her passing: Son Dr. Leon Edward Stanislav and his wife Ronna. Granddaughter Alia (Stanislav) and husband Jay Nunn, great-grandchildren, Aveleen and Colton Nunn. Granddaughter Dr. Kristy Jo (Stanislav) and husband Josh Dye. All of Clarksville, TN. Daughter Eileen Louise Stanislav of La Quinta, CA with her three children EveAnne Lippold of La Quinta, CA, Laura Berlinger of New Orleans, LA, and Idrissa Kamara of New York. Daughter Eva Laurie (Stanislav) Powell and fiancé Neil DeBella of Santa Cruz, CA. Brother Kermit Wagner and his wife Catherine of Windsor, Vermont; Niece Claire (Wagner) and husband Greg Ashley of San Jose, CA and children, Lauren and Lucy; Nephew John Wagner and his wife Bridgett with their daughter Cleo of Monterey, CA. Sister Esther Kenyon of Hawaiian Gardens, CA and her two daughters Christy Stanley of Hawaiian Gardens, CA; Karen and husband Jason McCants of Long Beach, CA with their children, Melody & Jackson. And many cousins, in-laws and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents John & Louise Wagner; baby brother John Andrew Wagner; brother Kenneth E. Wagner; baby granddaughter Amy Jean Stanislav; and her husband, Leonard.
Her life is a tribute and testimony to the interconnectedness of all people and our relationship with Nature. She continues as an inspiration to her family and friends to help any life in need. She found God in her garden, and modeled how to experience God “hands on” through all He created on this earth. This is her legacy, and she will be greatly missed
Celebrating a Life
Emma Lou StanislavBorn
November 27, 1925 ~ Turin, IowaEntered Into Eternal Rest
July 10, 2014 ~ Whiting, IowaAge
88 years ~ 7 months ~ 13 daysFuneral Services
Saturday ~ July 19, 2014 ~ 10:30 a.m.
Root Funeral Home ~ Onawa, IowaOfficiating
Pastor Roger WagnerMusic
Lance Lippold ~ Organist
Congregational Hymns
Selection 1 ~ "In The Garden & The Old Rugged Cross"
Selection 2 ~ "I'll Fly Away"
Special Music
"Far Side Banks of Jordan"Pallbearers
Larry Framke ~ Lance Lippold ~ Jim Powell
Mike Richardson ~ Dan Stanislav ~ Rick StanislavHonorary Pallbearers
Gary Addy ~ John Bearce ~ Herb Cederburg
Pete Mortensen ~ Charlie Richardson ~ Charles Stanislav
John Wagner ~ Kermit WagnerInterment
Belvidere Cemetery ~ Turin, IowaVisitation
Friday ~ July 18, 2014 ~ 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Root Funeral Home ~ Onawa, Iowa
Prayer Service ~ 7:00 p.m.Memorial Contributions
May be made in Emma Lou’s name and sent in care of
Root Funeral Home, 906 Pearl St. Onawa, IA 51040.
The family will designate various charities near to Emma Lou’s heart.
Professional Services By
ROOT FUNERAL HOME ~ ONAWA
Travis and Samantha Root
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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