THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: All about MOMS — A Mother’s Day tribute, from their sons and daughters — and grandkids

From supporting their kids from the stands, to preparing pregame steak dinners, to providing a calming influence, to driving their kids to early morning practices, to providing life lessons, moms do it all, don’t they?

Here’s some love stories about moms, from Press readers.

Margaret Deus 

John Deus, who has lived in Coeur d'Alene for seven years, shared four stories of his mom — a sports story, a life story, a finance story and a life story. 

John Deus was a senior at Christian Brothers High in Sacramento. In 1959 or ‘60, John played a game at Tokay High. Margaret invited her brother, who lived in Tokay, to watch her son play. 

“She sat in the stands with her brother, and commented, 'John is a good team player, but he never scores very many points,’ John wrote. “I scored my career high of 16 points in that game!” 

A life story: “My mom told me that she'd support me in any reasonable endeavor that I chose to attempt,” John wrote. “She offered one qualification, however. She told me she would never bail me out of jail!” 

A finance story: "Mom commented frequently, 'It is not how much money you make that is important. What's important is how much money you save!’" 

A life story: "’Don't worry about something you can't do anything about,’’” Margaret would tell John. “I was a worrier, so I heard her advice often!" John wrote. 

A postscript: “Mom passed away at 95 years old in 2013,” John said. “She was 100% Italian and the daughter of immigrant parents. She always looked 20+ years younger than her actual age. Her friends would ask her how she managed to look so youthful. She replied that she used the old Italian formula.’ What is that,’ they would always inquire. Mom replied, ‘I sleep in olive oil and rubber sheets!’” 

Mary Alsager 

“My mom’s name was Mary, the first Miss Mary in Romper Room in Idaho,” wrote Rick Alsager, who lives in Rathdrum with his wife, Debi.  

“I read your article and it made me think of my mother and what she did for me in sports,” Rick said. “While always watching me play, she always had a pregame meal for me to enjoy before playing football for the Boise Braves in Boise, Idaho. Between school, the pep rally and the game, I would come home for a small steak dinner that she would prepare. That was 55 years ago! Thanks mom and go Braves!” 

Rick’s sister-in-law is Karen Alsager, the former Sandpoint High volleyball coach. Her husband, Jim, Rick’s brother, also played at Boise High and at Idaho. Rick is retired after 35 years at Idaho Fish and Game, raising fish in hatcheries. 

Sylvia Eberlin 

“My mom has always been the calm during challenging times,” wrote her son Ryne Eberlin, now the principal at Timberlake High. “As a student-athlete and now as I near a decade as a high school principal, it is clear her advice and simple mantra of 'kill them with kindness’ is often the best path forward in life.  

“My two older brothers, my sister, and I all played collegiate sports out of necessity as much as love of the game. Dad was the coach on the courts and fields but mom really hammered home life lessons.  

“One of the main lessons looking back was instilling work ethic and kindness through actions rather than words. For 33 years, mom would get up no later than 5 a.m. and go to work at least an hour before her scheduled time. She was the lunch lady at Heyburn Elementary School who greeted EVERYONE with a smile. She can tell you every Lumberjack’s name along with a positive story. She NEVER missed a day of work and never quit smiling. Mom was never compensated for her extra work but her kids were the beneficiaries because we saw what diligence, commitment, and work ethic looked like. 

“Lesson two is resourcefulness and appreciation. Mom would have us collect aluminum cans every year and then we would turn them in for cash. That cash afforded us one-day bracelets for the Paul Bunyan Days carnival rides every Labor Day weekend. It was pretty simple. If we didn’t collect the cans, we didn’t earn bracelets. We learned to appreciate what collecting those cans afforded us.  

“My mom is nearing 70 years old and her impact is much bigger than the four of us. You can still see her in the stands of every St. Maries boys basketball game. If you have had the privilege of being around Sylvia Eberlin, you know the love my siblings and I have felt and for that we are all blessed.” 

Linda Baker 

“Grandma Linda Baker attends as many games as she can for her grandkids, rarely missing any,” said her daughter, Janis Griffin. “They love having her there knowing she's supporting them and being their number one cheerleader. We love our grandma. Love, Henry, Johnny and Daisy.” 

Michelle Slack

“My mom has meant so much to my coaching and playing career.  I can remember back to our middle school years,” wrote her son, Bryan Chase, now the St. Maries High boys basketball coach. “We had to split shift school schedules in a transition year while our middle school was being built. We had one group that went to school from 6 a.m. to noon and another group that went from noon to 6 p.m. We only had the Heyburn Gym back then so that meant some teams had to practice before 6 a.m. and some after 6 p.m. My mom and I were lucky enough to get the 4:30-6 a.m.shift. I would tell my mom that practice started at 4 a.m. so that I could get there when the coach showed up.  

“Some of my favorite memories include travelling to AAU tournaments around the Northwest and participating in the Cougar Cage Camp with Coach Kelvin Sampson. Those opportunities wouldn’t have been possible without my mom. My mom loves to travel and has passed that trait onto me. I most recently got to coach NBC teams in Germany and the United Kingdom. During my coaching career my mom has been so supportive. She hasn’t missed a state tournament yet! Thanks Mom. I love you and Happy Mother’s Day.” 

Catherine Jacobson 

"My parents were the ultimate sports fans, especially when their kids were playing,” wrote Ron Jacobson, the mayor of Post Falls. “I played basketball for Coeur d’Alene High School in 72-73 and 73-74. We won the state championship in 1973. In 1974, I injured my knee and sat out a few games trying to let it heal. We traveled to Lewiston to play on a night that the weather was awful. The roads were so bad, the pep bus turned around and drove home.  “During the junior varsity game, we were sitting in the stands watching. The only Viking fans in attendance were my parents.  Coach (Dean) Lundblad went and sat with my parents. He asked what they thought about me playing that night. Dad looked to mom for approval and she gave him the OK. They said since my knee wasn’t improving by resting it, I should give it a go. I happened to have a good game that night. The newspaper article said something to the effect of “If Ron Jacobson and Steve Parker were injured, Lewiston was glad they weren’t playing at full strength.”  Mom cut out the article and added it to the collection of articles she kept for me.  I can only remember one game my folks missed and that is when I was a sophomore playing for the Mid High. They couldn’t make it so they had my uncle attend.  

“Driving to games was a given for mom and dad.  They were our (me and my sibs) biggest fans. I knew I always had to handle myself properly.  Mom was always watching!” 

Carey Carlson 

“Back in our elementary school days, mom would drop us off and say, 'Have fun while doing your best,' wrote her daughter, Christina Carlson, a former Lake City and University of Idaho basketball player, about her mom Carey, former long-time assistant women’s basketball coach at North Idaho College. “Before hopping out of the car, my brother and I would scream back, 'Do your best while having fun!’ 

“That exchange undoubtedly helped shape how I approach life. Mom taught us that working hard and enjoying the process aren’t independent — they actually go together. You may not love every workout or challenge life throws at you, but when you expect great things of yourself and learn to find joy in the process, that’s where the real growth (and thus, the real fun) happens.  

“To mom, to demonstrate real, authentic love for another person is to believe in them enough to hold them accountable to give nothing but their very best. I am so thankful to have received this love from her both as a player and a daughter.” 

Laurie Schwenke 

“Through the 1980s and early ’90s, Laurie Schwenke was a constant presence in the CHS stands — cheering on her daughters (Ann, Keri and Andi) or giving the referees a piece of her mind. A true Viking through and through!” wrote her daughter Andrea Sadler. 

“Today, Laurie’s still in the stands, now proudly cheering on her seven grandkids, all former and current CHS Vikings — whether it’s on the putting green, the volleyball court, the football field, or in the theater. Her unwavering support and love for her family make her the absolute best 'Mimi’ there is.” 

Jenna Fordham 

“I remember not that long ago when I was playing baseball with my Little League all-star team in a game that, if we won, we would be able to go to San Bernardino,” her son, Cooper, wrote. 

“Now for a 12-year-old this was easily the biggest moment of my life. I was so nervous but the only thing that was keeping me in the game was hearing my mom cheering for me and the team. We ended up winning the game in extra innings and it created one of my best memories ever when the parents ran onto the field and I sprinted to center to find my mom and I have her the biggest hug of my life. It created a great memory and an amazing picture. Happy Mother's Day, I love you ma!” 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports. 

    Courtesy photo Mary Alsager and her husband Mel in from of the family cabin at Lowman, Idaho.

    Courtesy photo Seated from left are Don Eberlin (husband) and Sylvia Eberlin(mom); and standing from left, Ryne Eberlin (son), DJ Eberlin (son), Holly Carbery (daughter) and Pat Eberlin (son).

    Courtesy photo Daisy Griffin, left, and grandparents Jim and Linda Baker.

    Courtesy photo Johnny Griffin, left, and his grandmother, Linda Baker.
  

    Courtesy photo Michelle Slack, left, and her son Bryan Chase.
  

    Courtesy photo Catherine Jacobson and son Ron.
 

    Courtesy photo From left, Nina, Jordan, James, Carey and Chris Carlson.

    Courtesy photo Team Schwenke. In the front from left, Andrea Sadler and Ann Jaworski. Middle: Larry Schwenke. Standing from left, Keri Carter and Laurie Schwenke.

    Courtesy photo Cooper Fordham and his mom, Jenna.