Please leave your memories and thoughts of Stacy Wehrenberg here by posting a comment.
Also read: OU Daily remembrance with university family comments.
Stacy Jo (Thrailkill) Wehrenberg
1960 – 2012
Stacy Jo Wehrenberg, 52 of Norman passed away September, 26 2012 after valiantly battling an extremely rare form of breast cancer for almost two years.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 1:00 p.m. at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman with Reverend Linda Harker officiating. The family requests Memorial attendees join them in wearing bright colored clothing to express the joy and fun Stacy brought into our lives.
Stacy was born March 21, 1960 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Karen M. and Gene P. Thrailkill. She moved to Norman, Oklahoma from Athens, Ohio in 1971 with her family. She graduated from Norman High School in 1978 and was employed by Dr. Reg Sherrill, a Norman Optometrist, from 1978 to 1980. She attended The University of Oklahoma and received a Bachelor of Human Relations degree in December of 1984. While at OU she was a member of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, directed by her father. Stacy was very active and served as President of Tau Beta Sigma the Band Sorority. In 1986, Stacy was employed by The University Student Media Department as Administrative Assistant and Business Office Manager. Beginning in 1999 she spent sixteen months as Director of Publications at the University School of Music. Stacy received the University’s Twenty-Five Year Award in 2011.
On December 31, 2002 Stacy and Michael J. Wehrenberg were married in Norman. Their daughter, Abigail Dawn was born a year later on December 8. A devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Stacy was courageous in her battle with cancer. In life she always wore a smile, and maintained an incredible sense of humor; however, her greatest attribute was her selfless, caring love and concern for others. Stacy was a member of McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church. She was active in CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Middle Earth Child Development Center and Eisenhower Elementary School.
Survived by her husband Michael and daughter Abigail of the home, parents Gene and Karen Thrailkill of Norman, sister Dawn Thrailkill of Oklahoma City, and brother Chad Thrailkill and wife April of Norman. In-laws Robert and Wilma Wehrenberg of Kingfisher, Brothers Mark Wehrenberg and wife Amy of Piedmont, David Wehrenberg and wife Stacy of Oklahoma City, Paul Wehrenberg and wife Tammy of Edmond. Nieces and nephews, Shelby, Brayden, Hudson, and Sadie Thrailkill and Matthew, Ian, Parker, Amanda, and Della Wehrenberg and Allison McNeil.
Memorial contributions may be sent to The Elizabeth Smider Foundation , P.O. Box 721884, San Diego, CA 92129. This is the only center in the United States specifically dedicated to metaplastic breast cancer research.
I met Stacy “fighting” over the same Pride pants in the uniform room. I had no idea who she was….I soon found out!
We became fast friends and have so many wonderful, lasting memories I could write a book.
Her bedroom was painted a bright, sunny yellow with a beautiful rainbow….SO reflective of her sunny personality!
Stacy and I spent many hours at Del Rancho, Scholtsky’s, The Service Station, Applegates Landing, Mr. Bills, etc!
Laughter was always a part of anytime we spent together!!
We were “Raggedy Ann and Andy” for the First Pride Halloween show!
Stacy was so gracious she set me up with a great job at her dear Cinema East….
Stacy was the maid of honor in both my weddings….
Coach and Karen you were like parents to me and I am so sorry. My heart is broken for you and love you both more than you will ever know.
Dawn and Chad you had an amazing sister….thank you for sharing her with me.
Micheal and sweet Abby I am here for you forever.
My heart is heavy but know she is in a wonderful place.
I love you Stacy…..
Thoughts and Prayers Coach to you,your family and Stacy’s family.
Dear Coach Gene and Karen:
As you know, I am too old to have known Stacy personally, but one of the many wonderful things about the Pride is it is and always will be a family. And, dear coach/friend Gene, I feel through our emails you have allowed me the pleasure and honor of getting to know your entire beautiful family. Thus, the loss of one is a loss for all of us.
Please know at this time I send you both, Michael, Abby, Dawn, Chad and his family, and all of your extended family my deepest sympathy. I pray God now will, even as you grieve begin to bring you comfort, his love, and ultimately healing.
Gene and Karen, my heart is breaking for you. I know you are relieved that Stacey is longer in pain, but she will certainly be so missed! I’m praying for all of you. May the joy of Stacey’s life bring you many wonderful memories of both love and joy! God bless you and hold you!
God be with you Stacy. I played in the Pride the same years as Stacy. Thoughts and Prayers to Coach and all of you.
Brian Barnett
One of my fondest memories of Stacy was when we had to write and perform a pledge skit for Tau Beta Sigma in front of the entire band. We decided to do a somewhat skewed version of “This is Your Life” about Coach, and Stacy, of course, was our major information resource. She was so excited feeding us material to poke fun at her beloved dad! We even used “Jesus Christ Superstar” as the “background music”! Stacy couldn’t stop laughing!
Bless her heart. I remember when Stacy and some other TBS gals were preparing some kind of pregame brunch or something in the bandroom. She was just quietly working behind the scenes, doing service with no fanfare. A true servant’s heart. (Mellophone ’81-’83)
Gene/Karen: words cannot express our heartbreak for you. Stacy was a wonderful woman, mother, and daughter. She definitely brought forth the best of both of her wonderful parents ! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and her family.
Coach,
I can’t begin to tell you how sad I am to hear this news and you know from our previous conversations how I valued Stacy’s life and the positive influence she had on me during my freshman year at OU.
I’ve read the comments this evening on this site and on the OU Daily website and even though the grief has to be overwhelming you can take great pride and joy in knowing what a positive impact her life made on others. God be with your family in this tough time.
May you all feel the Peace that passes all understanding. Rest in Peace Stacy.
Ramona
I am so saddened by the passing of Stacy. I met Stacy while working at the OU School of Music. I will always remember staying late and folding programs for a concert. At times, we were folding 5 minutes before the concert started. Through it all, Stacy laughed and stayed positive. I will also remember folding and mailing the Blue Sheets and having a blast! Stacy was also my oldest son’s “first babysitter”. He was 4 weeks old, and she came to watch him while my hubby and I went to an appointment. Coach and Karen, my love and prayers are with you. I will forever remember your awesome daughter!
I met Stacy when she was working in Student Pubs and I was on the Daily staff in the fall of 1990. Later, I had the pleasure of working alongside her in the Student Pubs office. Stacy was a true, sweet friend to me at a critical point in my life. We bonded over fried peaches at Harry Bear’s. I will always remember, love and honor her, and although I’m glad she is no longer in pain, I miss her terribly already. My thoughts are with all of you.
To her beloved family — Stacy was and is a blessing in my life. From the first time I met her at the SOM, I felt like I had always known her. She became my friend, my sister, and now my guardian angel. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. Probably the bravest person I have ever known and my hero. I will miss her and will hold her funny sense of humor and laughter in my heart forever.
My love, thoughts, and prayers to you all.
I am so sorry for Stacy’s passing. She was a beautiful woman and her spirit will live on. My prayers are for all the extended family.
Coach, I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter and our dear friend Stacy. I remember thinking how cool it was that she was part of The Pride when I was and that our leader was her Dad! She was a great reflection of you as she touched a lot of lives of OU students through her work just like you did. So glad I happened to be one of those. Much love to you and your whole family during this very difficult time.
Dear Gene and Karen,
I only got to know Stacy near the end of her time here on earth, and so I have to let you know what a pleasure it is to now be able to share in some of the happy and celebratory memories for Stacy, Abby, Michael and you both. I smiled as I skimmed over your blog – looking at pictures of Abby as a baby and references to life when it was “normal.”
From the moment I first laid eyes on Stacy, I knew that she was an earth angel, and I knew that she was a beautiful soul worth knowing. And from her hospital bed set up in the middle of the living room, her inner light shined brightly. I immediately recognized her light as being one of faith, promise and grace. The beauty of Stacy’s soul and her grace did not dim during those last days and hours. She remained a beautiful and shining example of grace and faith — and I consider myself so blessed and fortunate to have been able to share those few steps along her path.
I also feel that I must tell tell you this: I was regularly moved to tears by the love and commitment of your family. Day after day, I watched you both hold vigil at Stacy’s side. I watched the love and support you (along with Michael’s parents) brought into Stacy and Michael’s home, and you provided Stacy with such a foundation of strength, family and faith that you were her pillar. . her rock, and you made certain her final footprints in this earth were lighter and easier because you carried her in your hearts.
I know for a fact Stacy is with you — proudly using her Angels Wings of Light — and now as you move forward, she is returning the love, strength and grace that you so generously gave to her.
With Light and Love.
Always.
Leslie Draper
Stacy was so kind and so fun and so happy! I loved her laugh…when I picture her, I can’t help but smile. I’m grateful to know her. She was so proud of her family…all of them. What she couldn’t do on earth, she can now do from Heaven. Her goodness will live on.