Two Sudden Losses, One Lesson
Two Sudden Losses, One Lesson
When life shifted without warning, Patty Stutzman and Eleanor Boese were swept into a reality they hadn’t expected. The sudden deaths of their husbands, Lowell and Dale, left behind not only grief, but the weight of decisions, legacies, and unfinished plans.
Both couples shared a deep faith and decades of ministry. Lowell and Dale served on various denominational boards, providing national and international impact. Each couple, with the financial stability from the businesses they established, had wrestled with how to use those resources to reflect their values.
But when both men passed away unexpectedly, their wives were left to navigate their estates—one through complexity and questions, the other through peace and preparedness.
Patty Stutzman: Piecing the Puzzle Together
Albany, Oregon
When Lowell Stutzman died suddenly of a heart attack at 64, Patty’s world shifted in an instant. Though they had created a will years earlier, life had changed—five adult children, grandchildren, a family business, and a devastating house fire that destroyed many records. They had intended to revisit their estate plan after Lowell’s quintuple bypass surgery. But time ran out.
“I felt confident I knew his heart after 45 years of making decisions together,” Patty shared. “But I wished we had taken the time to talk through our estate and organize everything.”
Without an updated plan, Patty faced emotional and legal burdens. Her advisors didn’t always share her Christian values, and she struggled to know how much to leave for her children and for charity. Knowing she needed to get something down on paper, she set up her will but did not feel like it showed their heart and what they wanted their lives to say when they were gone.
A few months later, she met Jon C. Wiebe, President & CEO of MB Foundation, who helped her update her will from a Biblical perspective. “Jon graciously listened,” she said. “He asked valuable questions and listed options that helped me clarify my decisions.”
Reflecting on the experience, Patty said, “It’s hard to gather everything when your head is in a fog. We don’t know when God will call us home. Estate planning isn’t something that can wait.”
Eleanor Boese: Peace in Preparation
Salem, Oregon
When Dale Boese died at 85, the grief was sharp but the path forward was clear. Dale and Eleanor had worked closely with MB Foundation to create an estate plan that reflected their shared faith and values.
“I was never stressed,” Eleanor said. “I knew what Dale and I had planned, and I wanted to carry it on.”
Their estate included three leased daycare centers and several rental properties. But more than assets, their legacy was rooted in giving generously to God’s work. “Giving has always been a part of us—our living and breathing,” said Eleanor.
Their plan reflected their belief that everything they had was a gift from God. “We knew that death would come, and we wanted to leave a legacy that recognized that what we had was a gift from the Lord to us and it was our responsibility to take care of what we have and use our resources wisely. It was on loan from the Lord for us to take care of. It’s not ours, it’s the Lord’s.”
After Dale’s passing, Eleanor made a few adjustments to their plan with the help of MB Foundation. “I didn’t have to ask, ‘What would Dale do?’ I asked, ‘What would God do?’” she said.
Why Estate Planning Matters
Estate planning reflects values, protects loved ones, and leaves a legacy of faith. Patty and Eleanor’s stories show how faith can guide this process—through preparation or perseverance.
Planning ahead is essential—no matter the size of the estate or the stage of life. As Patty said, “It seems irresponsible to leave things for the court to decide when we don’t need to.”
“You can go to attorneys or estate planners, but they don’t always know your heart,” said Eleanor. “We recognized very early on that MB Foundation was qualified and understood our love for the Lord and His work. That gave me real peace.”