Lucille (Lindborg) Stassel

Lucille Stassel was born August 9, 1925 to Carl Gustave and Ellen (Youngren) Lindborg in La Porte where she lived until her death on October 29, 2014.  A 1943 La Porte High School graduate, she matriculated from the former Augustana School of Nursing, Chicago, in 1947 as a Registered Nurse and earned a B.S. degree from the University of St. Francis. 

In November, 1950, she and John Stassel married and remained so until his death in 2004.

A life-long member of Bethany Lutheran Church, she served on the church council and, most recently, the senior Lunch group and organized the Book Readers Club.  She was an avid, accomplished bowler and a golfer.  She and John were former members of La Porte’s Phi Delta Kappa social club and the La Porte Elks and delivered Meals on Wheels for over twenty years.  Lucille missed Indiana University basketball broadcasts only under duress.

Professionally, prior to the births of her children, she was an industrial nurse at Allis-Chalmers.  While raising her family, she continued as a private duty nurse.  In the mid-1960s, she worked for Dr. James J. J. Sprecher until joining a predecessor of La Porte Hospital as a house supervisor.  as Director of Nursing Lucille was a core member of the  leadership team that conceived, organized, and merged the former Holy Family and Fairview Hospitals to create La Porte Hospital.  She continued in that position until her 1986 retirement.

Lucille and John had two children, David (Donna) Stassel of La Cañada-Flintridge, California and the late Sara Lee, formerly of Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Grandchildren include Laura and Jill Stassel and Jennifer, Former Captain Peter G., USMC, and Jonathan Lee. 

Survivors include: her son and daughter-in-law, son-in-law Peter E. Lee of Pawleys Island, S.C.; grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, including  Maurice (Norma) Lindborg, James (Sue) Lindborg, and Jon (Nancy) Zich; and many cousins, including Christie and Dr. James Edwards, Jane Larson, and Edgar Lindborg, all of whom cared for her as if she were their mother.  She was predeceased by her parents, daughter Sara, sisters Elizabeth Luber and Jane Zich, and brother C. Eugene Lindborg. 

Visitation will take place from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, October 31, 2014 at Essling Funeral Home, 1117 Indiana Avenue, LaPorte, Indiana.  Funeral services will be 12:30 P.M. Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Bethany Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dennis Meyer officiating.  Friends may visit one hour prior to the funeral at Bethany Lutheran Church.  Burial will follow in Patton Cemetery. 

Please make donations to the Bethany Lutheran Church Foundation of La Porte, Inc. 102 G Street, La Porte, Indiana 46350 and NewDay Foundation, P.O. Box 13, La Porte, Indiana 46352.

To send condolences online, please visit, Essling Funeral Home.com.

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