[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4200-4201]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           SUE POSER OF PIERZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD M. NOLAN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 24, 2015

  Mr. NOLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Sue Poser of Pierz, 
Minnesota who has been named the 2015 Quilter of the Year by Minnesota 
Quilter's Inc. Not only is she an exceptional quilter, she is also the 
third generation owner of Gruber's, which many people liken to a 
``Laura Ingalls Wilder'' style shop and community hub--and award-
winning quilting mecca in Genola. Her quilting business began with 
Poser's grandparents and a small general store serving a town of a 
population of 75 and perhaps another 100 in the surrounding farms and 
townships. The store eventually included everything from quilting 
supplies to movie rentals, although it was particularly famous for its 
meat market and quilting parties. An often-told story in the area tells 
of a man who brought a bear into the meat market for procession

[[Page 4201]]

and while negotiating, he saw a group of 50 women enjoying margaritas 
from the bar across the street for a quilting party. Curious to find 
out more about the party, he stopped in only to hear one of the 
spirited woman say, ``We have to get back to the convent before they 
lock the doors at eight!''
  The meat market, like so many small businesses, no longer operates--
though the quilting shop prospered and has expanded to other locations. 
Gruber's now operates with 20 employees in Waite Park and has been 
voted one of the best quilt shops in the nation.
  Sue is the common thread that binds huge sections of the quilting 
community together, not only as a crafter but as an encourager helping 
a lot of people find success in the quilt and pattern-design industry. 
Some years ago, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis--but that 
doesn't stop her from doing what she loves. She said, ``If God gave me 
MS, it was to slow me down because otherwise I'd never stop.'' She is 
such an inspiration to others. People who struggle with a recent health 
diagnosis or life changes often come to her for support and a ready ear 
to listen.
  In our rural areas, weekly or monthly quilting bees are still a time 
for women to leave their cares at home and join in the laughter, 
fellowship and wisdom of others--and often a potluck lunch or dinner, 
and yes, the occasional margarita shared with a group of nuns.
  Sue Poser exemplifies the embodiment of utilizing creativity and hard 
work to build a small business success while staying rooted to family, 
friends and community.

                          ____________________