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WRITTEN BY HEATHER ROTHBAUER-WANISH
For over 31 years, Mary Shoenknecht has been a familiar face at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. While she raised her children, supported her husband in his endeavors, and built a family, she has consistently given back to her church community. Now, as she embarks on a new chapter in her life—retirement—Mary looks back fondly through memories and looks forward to new adventures.
Faith. Faith plays an integral role in every aspect of Mary’s life. Mary joined Trinity Lutheran Church in 1955, was confirmed and married there; and her children grew up in the same church. After a stint living away from the Eau Claire area in the 1970s, Mary and her husband returned and re-joined the church. And now, after 31 years of serving as the children’s ministry director and education coordinator, she is looking forward to retirement. However, it is definitely Mary’s faith that directs her life.
“I think of my whole life as a way to serve. By consistently thinking about what I can do to make a difference, I feel like I have given back to the community,” Mary explains. In today’s world, it can be a struggle for parents to do it all, including working, finding time to spend with family, and living a faith-driven life. “It’s really a juggling act for today’s families and a big piece of making it through is having a strong faith community,” says Mary.
Family. Family is extremely important to Mary. Her two adult daughters have both earned their Masters of Divinity, just like their father, Robert. She enjoys talking about their accomplishments. “Both of my daughters and my husband have taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.” She is also extremely proud of her sons-in-law and three grandchildren. While their daughters were growing up, Mary and Robert took them on road trips throughout the country. Today, the tradition continues—all nine family members are planning a trip to California this summer. “We love to travel together as a family and spend time together,” Mary states.
And, when not traveling and spending time working at the church, Mary has always encouraged her husband. As a pastor at several rural Lutheran churches in the Colfax area, Robert has always been busy serving the Lord. “I like to see my life as a calling, and I know that my husband views his calling as a way to spread the word of the Lord,” she explains.
Friends. Mary’s friends have proven to be a powerful support network throughout her life. “My husband and I returned to the Eau Claire area during the 1970s, after he served time in the Navy,” tells Mary. Around that same time, Mary joined a Bible study Circle through the women’s group at Trinity Lutheran Church. In the group were several stay-at-home moms, and they hired someone to come in to take care of the children while they conducted Bible studies. “There is still a core group of seven of us that get together on the third Thursday of the month,” Mary says. Although today the topic has changed from talk of their own children to discussions about grandchildren, retirement, and health issues. Mary reflects, “I’ve been very fortunate to have a great group of friends, including colleagues at Trinity Lutheran Church that are absolutely wonderful.”
Fitness. Fitness is an important part of Mary’s daily routine. For the past couple of years, she has gone running each morning. She typically runs three miles. “I started out many years ago as a walker, and then decided that I needed to start running because I wanted to be faster,” she explains. “I’ve actually become addicted to running and feel like it really rejuvenates me.” Though breast cancer threatened her health in 2009, Mary ran right up until the day of her surgery. In fact, she still walked during her chemotherapy treatments, “During my cancer treatment, my faith and fitness really helped me on my journey.” These days, Mary enjoys running 5Ks and supporting causes that are important to both her and her family.
In addition, Mary and her husband joined the local YMCA this winter. The Y facility provided a nice reprieve from the harsh winter experienced in this area. For those who feel like a lack of time or a lack of commitment to fitness may derail their objectives, Mary encourages setting smaller goals, “You really do need to make time for fitness and carve out the time that works best for you.”
Finance. With her faith as her compass, it’s no surprise that Mary believes in providing monetarily to others that are less fortunate, “I believe that the first fruits are for giving, and I have consistently provided as much as I can to the church and other community causes.” With planned giving, her standard is for 10% to go to giving, 10% to go to saving, and the remaining 80% to live on. “Through living this, we have discovered that there has always been more than enough to go around,” she reveals.
While each of the five Fs are important to Mary, her faith is what has meant the most throughout her life, a rudder in both triumphs and challenges. And now that retirement is upon her, she looks forward to a future filled with even more time for family and friends, “I’m excited about his new chapter, and I know that I have been very lucky.”
“I believe that the first fruits are for giving, and I have consistently provided as much as I can to the church and other community causes.” With planned giving, her standard is for 10% to go to giving, 10% to go to saving, and the remaining 80% to live on. “Through living this, we have discovered that there has always been more than enough to go around.”
