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Mari Jo Stanek emanates competence, patience and grace.   

She gives much time to quilting (by long-arm quilting machine), which are all donated by the women of the Dorcas Group of Austin Congregational Church. Some of the quilts are pieced by Mari Jo, as well. She estimates that 500 quilts have been donated to veterans through the Quilts of Valor program. In past years, this group effort also gave quilts to the Linus Project, to be given to children interacting in stressful situations with police officers or social workers.

And when Austin had an active Habitat for Humanity affiliate, quilts were made and given to new homeowners. Church members receive quilts for baptisms, graduations and special thank you gifts. This work is all financed by cash donations, and donations of time and materials.  Of course, Mari Jo’s time is a huge part of the endeavor.

After retiring from a 40-year career in several positions in the finance area at Hormel Foods, Mari Jo found that she had time on her hands and became a serious quilter.  And she just loves it!  Her sense of design and color are showcased in the quilts she pieces.

An example of her special thoughtfulness is a quilt she made from the shirts of a deceased church member as a gift to comfort his wife.

Mari Jo explains that she has quilts made by her paternal grandmother whom she never knew, and she treasures these quilts as a way to connect with this ancestor. She feels that the quilts that bear her name are her legacy; one way she will be remembered. 

This big quilting project is not enough to fill Mari Jo’s giving nature.

She also makes handmade soap, mittens out of recycled sweaters, quilted bags and wall hangings and sells them at craft fairs to help with the expenses of her three intellectually disabled granddaughters. Her handmade goods are also on sale at Sweet Reads Bookstore, where she volunteers in exchange for selling her things there.

Her other Congregational Church activities include serving as current moderator (lay leader), and as chair of the Properties Committee, as well as helping to chair the big biannual church rummage sales which are a favorite activity for her. She loves that these sales recycle so many things and bring together so many people within and outside the church family. Unsold items are given to many people in need.

Mari Jo attributes much of her equanimity to her one-hundred-and -one year old mother, Vera Sims.   “My parents led by example teaching us integrity, honesty and strength, confidence, and love, among other things. As a young person, I couldn’t understand my peers that didn’t get along with their mothers, as my mother was my best friend (most of the time).”

They continue as best friends to this day.

Thank you, Mari Jo Stanek, for your many contributions to our community!