By Sara QuamMarie Wiegel has spent 91 Christmases in her Bishop Street home.She enjoys Christmas and makes it festive with many handmade tokens of the holiday, from crocheted wreaths to hanging stars made from drinking straws strung together.At almost 96, her creativity hasn’t slowed."I probably learned some things by working with kids all those years," Wiegel said.She was an elementary teacher in Kenneth, Hardwick and Luverne and a librarian in Luverne. Wiegel said she greatly enjoyed reading to children and doing crafting and other activities with them.Some of the things she makes for Christmas include hand-written cards made from paper or other used cards."I don’t throw anything away, not even a bent pin," Wiegel said. "I make flowers out of the circles from paper punches. I don’t like to throw anything away."That’s not to say she’s a pack rat because she manages to use everything she saves.She even decorates the corners of used envelopes with poinsettias to be used as bookmarks."It hurts my feelings to see a dog-eared book," she said.More than just craftsWiegel said she hopes her little labors of love do some good for people in need.Whatever she earns in donations or payments for her creations goes to a charitable gift from Wiegel. She also donates her crafts themselves.One of the recipients of Wiegel’s work is Eileen Reisch, who organizes donations for 11 Catholic parishes. The donations go to various missions and charities such as Sharing Hearts are Helping Everyone locally, and the Children’s Inn in Sioux Falls, where victims of domestic violence seek shelter.Reisch said, "Marie is an ardent sewer and makes blankets by the dozens. She has a pile now we have someone going to pick up for her."Wiegel said she hopes more people will volunteer their talents to Reisch. Reisch said, "I think she’s the most talented person, but she’s very humble and pious. I tell her she doesn’t know what an inspiration she is to so many people."