Special museum exhibit touts the 'Ladies of Lisle'

"Think globally, act locally," is the vision for International Women's Day, designed to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.

Honoring the local contributions of six women who helped shape Lisle, the Museums at Lisle Station Park will celebrate International Women's Day (which was March 8) with a special exhibit running all month titled, "Ladies of Lisle."

"Choosing the individuals to include in this exhibit was no easy task," said Lisle Park District museum curator Rose Mary Hose. "Countless women have contributed to Lisle in many different ways."

To make sure others who deserve recognition are included, part of the exhibit is a journaling station where the public is invited to write the names and achievements - and insert a photo, if you wish - of additional women who had a role in Lisle's history. The journal will become part of the museum's historical database.

Visitors, meanwhile, will learn about Mary Yender, Viola "Vi" Yender, Doris Gurtler, Petronilla "Nilla" Kuttner, Jane Belon Shaw and Martha Schiesher.

Mary Yender

As a young child, Mary Yender immigrated to the United States with her parents from Switzerland. When she married George Yender, the couple moved to a Lisle farm where they raised their four sons.

Andrew "Andy" Yender recalls neighbors came to his mother seeking food for their families during the difficult times of the Depression. She always found a way to help.

"Quite a few of the people who came for milk and eggs would work then with my dad on the farm because they had no money to pay," Yender said.

As the economy improved, Mary Yender opened a small grocery store in a pump house on the south side of Ogden Avenue close to where Yender Avenue is today. There she sold eggs and fresh milk from the growing Yender Dairy. In 1939, the store expanded to carry more sundry items and added a milk and egg home delivery service.

Viola "Vi" Yender

Viola "Vi" Yender, Andy Yender's wife and mother of four, is part of the exhibit for her historic preservation of the Netzley/Yender farmhouse circa 1850.

"When a car dealership on Ogden Avenue bought our property, we asked the owner what were the chances of preserving the house," Andy Yender said. "Then Vi talked to him and he actually paid for moving the house rather than have it demolished."

In 1986, the Netzley/Yender House traveled east on Ogden to the museum complex at Lisle Station Park. The Yenders were among the founding members of the Lisle Heritage Society and worked within the group to preserve the historic home. Today, visitors gain an insight to the rural lifestyle in early Lisle.

Vi Yender's involvement also extended to the VFW auxiliary at Ross Bishop VFW Post 5696, which is named for her first husband who was killed in action during WWII.

Doris Gurtler

Honoree Doris Gurtler was instrumental in preserving the first structure that is central to the Museums of Lisle Station Park.

As a newspaper managing editor and mother of three, Gurtler saw the value in the quaint 1874 CB&Q railroad station that served the community for 104 years. When she learned that the Burlington Northern railroad would discontinue use of the structure in 1978, Gurtler's efforts had the depot donated, moved and used for a museum.

"Doris, camera and notebook in hand, was everywhere that newsworthy events or just heartwarming happenings were taking place," said her friend and co-worker Marilyn Cawiezel. "Doris loved Lisle, and Lisle loved her."

The Doris M. Gurtler Museum is owned by the Lisle Park District, maintained by the Lisle Heritage Society and located on land leased from the village of Lisle.

Petronilla "Nilla" Kuttner

Petronilla "Nilla" Kuttner was Lisle's first female village trustee. Her involvement in having Lisle incorporated led Mayor Anton Stupay to appoint her to finish out the term of Trustee Philip Hawkins. She went on to win election and served from 1965 to 1969.

During her years of service, The Beau Bien subdivision was established, the Lisle Library was founded and the Lisle Park District was formed.

Following a storm that brought 50 mph winds and dumped 2.3 inches of rain, Trustee Kuttner was instrumental in convincing homeowners to sign easements to have the DuPage River dredged to alleviate future flooding by installing a stormwater sewer.

As a mother of five, Kuttner also reached out to help neighbors during difficult times through her involvement with the VFW Post and Lions Ladies auxiliaries, said her daughter Ruth Kuttner. She was instrumental in providing a safe haven for teens for social gatherings at the VFW post.

Jane Belon Shaw

Jane Belon Shaw expanded upon her love of books as a base librarian who drove a bookmobile to troops serving at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. As the first director hired by the new tax-supported Lisle Library District in 1967, Shaw served in that capacity for 28 years, seeing the collection grow from of a few hundred donated children's books to a full-service seven-day-a-week organization.

"The building at 777 Front St. was a dream come true for my mother," said Jennifer O'Malley, one of Shaw's five children. "She was involved in every step of the process, from planning the landscaping to helping pick carpet and paint and the carrels for people to sit in."

The personable director made sure her staff knew she respected and valued each of them, O'Malley said. She recognized that a patron's opinion of the library was formed by their interaction with staff.

Martha Schiesher

Martha Schiesher began her 41 years of service to the Lisle school district as the fifth- and sixth-grade teacher in the four-classroom building at the corner of Main Street and Burlington Avenue in 1926.

The district grew and enrollment increased due to the mechanization of farming and legislation that established strict child labor laws.

For 19 years, Schiesher was Lisle's sole school administrator. She led her staff by example, earning a master's degree in elementary administration in 1955.

Schiesher affirmed the importance of providing athletic opportunities for girls long before Title IX mandated it. She encouraged young women in the community to take part in athletic pursuits as a member of the Lisle Girls Athletic Association.

Schiesher retired from Schiesher Elementary School in 1967, a school named as a tribute to its principal.

"Ladies of Lisle" is a free exhibit at the Museums of Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., open 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays in March. Call (630) 968-0499 for details.

• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> "Ladies of Lisle," an exhibit touting the contributions of six women to Lisle's history</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays in March</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> The Museums of Lisle Station Park, 921 School St.</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free</p> <p class="News"><b>Info: </b>(630) 968-0499</p>