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A measure of respect – during recess

Steele County Times - Staff Photo - Create Article
This photo was taken by a family member of William “Billy” Noble on the day of his funeral. As the family left the church, fifth graders from Blooming Prairie Elementary School were at recess across the street in Central Park. As the casket was carried to the hearse, the students stood quietly with their hands over their hearts. Submitted photo
By
Kay Fate, Staff Writer

When William “Billy” Noble died last month, his big, extended family paid homage to him in ways that spoke to the kind of life he lived.

It was a group of strangers, though, that prompted this story. More on that later.

When people use words like “jovial” to describe a man with a white beard, it isn’t much of a stretch to imagine that man in a different role in December.

And Noble was indeed Santa – with his beloved wife Margaret as Mrs. Claus – for many years, bringing Christmas magic to hundreds of children.

His daughter-in-law, Julie Noble, described Billy as “somewhat of an icon in town.”

“He was funny,” Julie said, as well as “a bit sarcastic and had a great smile. He always had a joke or story to tell and loved visiting with pretty much anyone.”

It was met with utter delight, then, when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived at Noble’s funeral … wearing Santa hats.

In addition to raising four children with Margaret, Noble was a Boy Scout leader, treasurer of the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years and a member of the BP Fire Department for 30 years.

All of those things were important to Billy, so they were important to his family.

“The day of his funeral, we knew the (firefighters) would be in attendance,” Julie Noble said, so the family asked for a fire engine escort to the cemetery.

Of course, the department agreed.

The funeral was held at St. Columbanus Catholic Church, the church where Billy was a devoted member.

Across the street, to the west, is Blooming Prairie’s Central Park.

Billy’s funeral started at 11 a.m., about the time the kids at the elementary school just down the street have lunch.

After lunch, the students go outside for a brief recess before heading back to their classrooms.

Though a playground sits behind the school, staff splits the children between the school playground and the playground across the street at Central Park.

“We didn’t used to use the park very often as a playground,” said Superintendent Chris Staloch, “but with our growth and more kids and since COVID, we’ve sent (some students) to our playground, and the others to the park.

“We haven’t always been over there,” he said, “but it’s worked out really, really well to spread the kids out.”

So on Wednesday, Sept. 28, as Billy’s funeral was wrapping up at St. Columbanus Catholic Church, the fifth-graders were enjoying their post-lunch recess at Central Park.

Rob White, a paraprofessional at BPES and a veteran – including service as an Army infantry medic during U.S. operations in Panama – was supervising the students.

He noticed the hearse, “and just said, ‘hey, be respectful.’ That was it,” Staloch said.

Julie Noble picks up the story.

“After the funeral was over, as a family we followed the pallbearers and casket out of the church through the west side doors,” she said. “As we came down the stairs … we saw the lineup of firemen on each side of the sidewalk (that led) to the hearse.

“But as we looked forward, toward the park, we could see a line-up of about 15-20 children, many with their hands on their hearts, standing quietly,” Noble said. More kids joined the line.

“They were giving respect to our family and Billy as he made his final departure – we were moved beyond belief at this wonderful display by the children.”

The gesture resonated with everyone.

“There were a lot of tears, coming out of that church and seeing those kids standing there,” said Pam Hameister, a BP School Board member who attended the funeral.

As the family processed the event throughout the rest of the day, Julie Noble set out to learn who the students were.

“Those kids obviously didn’t know whose funeral it was,” she said. “I felt this needed to be brought to the attention of the administration and staff” so the children could be recognized.

She emailed the superintendent and elementary school Principal Jacob Schwarz and told them what happened.

“In my role, we work on solving a lot of issues; it’s what we do,” Staloch said. “I think it’s important, too, for us to notice those moments, because we always notice the moments that aren’t so good. We have to make sure we notice the moments that are great, and there’s plenty of them.”

The Nobles learned the children were fifth graders, and with the school’s permission, brought cupcakes to school the next day for them to enjoy.

The family will likely never forget the day.

“I can’t even tell you how emotional it felt,” Julie Noble said. “The casket coming out, our kids and grandkids with their Santa hats, the firefighters – and then you look out and see those little kids… It just sent us over the edge even more.

“It was just pure respect. Pure kindness.”

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