Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Steinhilber, Raab, Struensee
----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) /2015
Steinhilber, Lucy (Celebrates 104th - 28 August 2015)
Lucy Steinhilber celebrated her 104th birthday with a party at Neillsville Care $ Rehab.
Lucy was born in Oshkosh August 28, 1911.
Turning 104 years old is something that most of us will not every experience in our lifetime, so when it does happen, it is certainly to be celebrated.
Lucy Steinhilber celebrated her 104th birthday August 28 with her family and friends at Neillsville Care & Rehab. Her son, Lee Steinhilber, and his wife, Janice, visited from Wisconsin Rapids, bringing with them balloons, flowers, gifts and cake to make her day.
Lucy was born August 28, 1911, in Oshkosh to Anton and Marie Raab. She was one of seven children (five girls) born into the family. In addition to raising her children, her mother ran a grocery store/tavern and also assisted as a midwife. Her father worked at a local wood factory and as the cemetery sextant. Both parents instilled very strong work ethic in Lucy she would carry through her life.
In 1937, Lucy married the love of her life, Lester Steinhilber. They moved to Neillsville and opened the Club 10 Restaurant (now Fannies). They went on to have two children, Lee and Lois (affectionately called Susie). Together they ran the restaurant for over 20 years.
Lucy says it is very important to look good and be kind when working with the public. Maybe that is why their supper club was so popular (or it could have been the frog legs).
Lucy has often told stories about all the frog legs that she used to cook because everyone loved them so much. She also shook more than her fair share of dice with the customers, maybe too much.
Bobbie Struensee of the Neillsville Care & Rehab Activities Department said she often asks Lucy to shake dice during the evening Bunco games.
“Lucy will tell me that she shook enough dice during her days at the club,” Struensee said. “She says she would rather watch.”
Sadly, Lester passed away in 1965 and Lucy then sold the restaurant in 1967.
Lucy continued to keep herself busy after selling the club. She made a life out of doing volunteer work in the community.
She volunteered at the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop. Lucy would take home all the clothing, dolls and stuffed animals to wash and repair before bringing them back to sell.
Lucy also volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Bank for over 30 years and also with the Grey Ladies, now known as the Sunshine Friends. They meet weekly at Neillsville Care & Rehab.
Lee said his mother was an excellent seamstress. She fashioned her own wedding suit from a man’s wool suit that was no longer used.
Lucy sewed all of her children’s clothing. She made hats and coats for them, and when the grandchildren came, she also sewed for them.
Lucy never learned to drive a car. She never felt the need to, as she walked almost everywhere or a good friend was always available to help her out.
Lucy has never smoked a cigarette. Remarkably, she remained in her own home until the tender age of 100.
Lucy’s family grew to include seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Lucy enjoys sitting out in the lobby area and watching the people. It’s a habit after working with the public for so many years.
Each day she is out there Struensee tells her, “Lucy, I will see you tomorrow. She always tells me she will be here. One day, I know she won’t be, but until then I will treasure her stories and spending precious time with her.”
