Elizabeth (Libby) Faller Tresp is alive and well at 100 year old. She was born in Newton, Illinois on November 13, 1906. She grew up as the daughter of a grist mill owner. The home was still family owned on her last visit "down home" in 1984. The Mill is now a restaurant.
In her late teens, she followed her sister, Louise, to Springfield, Illinois to be trained as a registered nurse. She was considered too young to graduate although she passed all couses. I found it remarkable the differences between some of her text books, and mine almost 60 years later! Under the strict directive and guidance of the Catholic sisters, she did graduate, caring for the sick and specializing in labor and delivery..
She met and married Ewald Tresp, a German immigrant who refused to fight Hitler's war. Believing in hard, honest work, they made their life in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. On the picture noted as "Homestead" one can see the home in which they resided until Libby opted to move to an assisted living environent in Manitowoc, once again under the guidance of the sisters she loves so much.
Libby's two reasons for living is her faith and her family. Being a grandchild, I was fortunate to have a very unique relationship with her. I was under her wing but never in trouble! You see, of her 15 grandchildren and 19 great-granchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild...we could do no wrong. Just ask her own children!
Living until 100 has brought some heartache. Her husband, son (Denny), grandson (Tony), granddaughter (Erin) and great-granddaughter (Katherine) have preceeded her death. She knows they will greet her with open arms when the time comes.
She truly taught us a life of service to others. Many family members are teachers and principals, doctors, nurses, and other professions which dedicate their lives to others in one form or another. She also taught us to celebrate life at every opportunity.
So to the woman who made my first communion dress, snuck me out to see Sound of Music at the theatre, let us see Wizard of Oz in color, taught me what Christmas is really about, and that Jesus, through his Blessed Mother, will grant you many graces...I say thank you, Grandma. Libby's House will succeed because of its mission to others.