STELLA MARIE URBAIN

Stella Marie Urbain passed away in her home with her daughter by her side on August 15, 2015 at the age of 104. Stella was born January 6, 1911 to Michael and Elizabeth (Scanlan) McCarthy in Caledonia, MN. Stella graduated from Loretto High School in 1928 and attended Winona Teacher’s College in 1929. She graduated from La Crosse State Teacher’s College in 1930. She taught in rural schools in Owatonna and Waseca, MN and then at Reno, MN for two and one half years from 1930 – 1933. She also worked for the McCarthy Produce Company in Caledonia, MN. In 1936, she was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She was promoted to chief operator in Caledonia before transferring to the Dubuque, IA office of the telephone company in 1946, where she again worked as a switchboard operator. She married Edward Vincent Urbain at St. John the Baptist Church in Caledonia on October 17, 1949. Beginning in 1950, Stella’s focus shifted to raising her two children, Martin Edward and Helen Elizabeth, but continued to work as a substitute elementary school teacher. She also worked as a switchboard operator at American Trust and Savings Bank in Dubuque. In 1961, the family returned to Caledonia, where Stella worked as the bookkeeper at the Farmers Livestock Auction Market until it closed in 1998. She happily lived her later years in the home of her daughter. Stella is survived by her daughter, Helen Urbain of LaCrescent, MN, her sister, Lou Kerndt of Omaha, NE a brother-in-law, Clarence Urbain of Epworth, IA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, in 1989, her son, Martin on October 7, 2013, her parents Michael and Elizabeth “Bessie” McCarthy, sisters Holly Mae and Helen Mellick, brother, Charles McCarthy, and nephews William McCarthy and David Urbain. Stella is lovingly remembered by family and friends as a woman of strong faith who made a point of knowing, understanding and remembering people. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am on Sat. August 29th, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Matt Fasnacht will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. A rosary will be said at 9:45 am Sat. at the church and visitation will be from 10-11 am before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to the Calvary Cemetery Fund or for masses. McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements.

STELLA MARIE URBAIN

January 6, 1911 - August 15, 2015