Nina Loeffel

Buddhist teachings tell us that suffering, an innate characteristic of human existence, is also a path to enlightenment but to get there requires letting go of attachment. All who knew Nina in her long, slow physical decline from MS over decades witnessed this. As Nina’s physical health diminished over time, she only grew bigger, brighter, and more compassionate. This was no accident or simple good fortune, but by design and dutiful practice. As her body quit her, she became more enlightened through Buddhist practices. A turn in her MS about a year ago made her a permanent resident at St. Clare Meadows, a nursing home in Baraboo. In her time at the nursing home, Nina worked to connect and befriend the staff, while successfully lobbying for changes including reducing single use plastics, and advocating for better treatment of patients - to be treated as humans not solely bodies to tend to. She made an oasis out of a seemingly bleak environment, and amazingly, grew even more vibrant.

Nina had a remarkable life starting with her childhood. At age 7, she lived with her family in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii before it became a state. In 1965, she spent her senior year of high school in Rhodesia (which declared its independence from Britain and became Zimbabwe while there) and in the bush of Botswana where the whole family worked together to conduct some of the earliest research studies on elephants, waterbuck, and other African wildlife. Even at the age of 17, Nina made note of the racial injustices, which she wrote about. She continued her early knack for writing, and in spite of not graduating from an official high school, was admitted to Colorado Collage due to an impressive entrance essay.

While overseas attending university in Frankfurt, Germany, Nina met her husband, Richard Meunier, in February 1969. They ventured to Formentera, one of the Balearic Islands of Spain. In 1970 Nina left Europe and married Richard in Massachusetts, and soon had her eldest daughter, Rachel. Nina was the first woman, in contemporary history, to have a natural childbirth in Gardner, and likely one of few women to do so in Massachusetts at that time.

Later In 1970, Nina, Richard, and 4 month old Rachel joined “The Caravan” - the trail of VW buses from San Francisco making its way toward Tennessee to help found an intentional community called “The Farm” in Summertown, TN. Along with about 150 other like- minded young folks who wanted to drop out of the crazy “hippy” scene, they wanted to live lightly on the land and actualize their dream of living collectively - giving generously, and sharing possessions. Eventually the 100 acre farm community grew to about 1400 people, becoming the largest communal living arrangement in the United States.

The Farm founded Plenty International, a grassroots humanitarian effort that worked with developing nations, and poverty stricken areas to get basic needs met. For example, Plenty ran a free EMT ambulance service in the Bronx where no EMT services were offered, and worked with Mother Teresa and Sweat equity to rebuild some of the most decrepit buildings in areas of the city commonly known as “the war zone.” Perhaps, most notably was the midwifery movement headed by Ina May Gaskin, where women could safely have natural childbirths. Plenty, and The Farm Midwifery Center, are still in operation today.

In the meantime, Richard and Nina added two children to their growing family - Amelia, and Jed.

In 1975 with a small group of friends in Missouri, Richard and Nina started a “satellite” farm in Fulton MO to be closer to extended family. Nina tended to children, the garden, and taught school to the farm kids, inviting the local neighborhood kids to partake in the festivities. The Missouri farm folks worked together to establish businesses, purchase land, and found their satellite farm community. Two additional children were added, Josephine in 1977, and Samuel in 1979. However, in 1980 Stephen Gaskin, the spiritual leader of The Farm, called all satellite farm folks to come back to Tennessee due to the economic recession with the idea that the entrepreneurial folks were needed.

1n 1981, after the MO farm had been auctioned off and the couple moved back to Tennessee, Richard became disheartened. Nina and Richard’s paths diverged, however they remained good friends. In 1982, Nina moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin to be closer to her mother, sister, and extended family. In Baraboo, Nina worked as an EMT, and later studied to be a massage therapist. Nina was a lifeguard, and instructed swimming at the Baraboo Municipal Pool. As part of lifeguard training, Nina took her students to swim the length of Devils Lake (a mile) as part of their final exam. The single mother of five children, Nina went back to school to earn a RN degree, and then worked for Home Health. As her physical limitations increased, Nina continued to provide massage therapy with the use of one hand, and instructed meditation classes to the elderly in Madison.

Nina put an ad in the personals of the Isthmus, a free alternative newspaper based out of Madison in hopes of finding a new life partner. After some deliberation, discussion with good friends - Patricia and Homer, and several dates, Nina chose to partner with Carl Loeffel, a well known wedding cake pastry chef in the Madison area. Nina fell in love with Carl, and his cakes. The two were married in 1994. Nina moved to Madison, and together they established and operated Carl’s Cakes bakery.

Following Carl’s retirement, the couple returned to Baraboo to be closer to family, and friends. To Nina, Baraboo was home.

Nina is survived by her husband Carl Loeffel, sister Trish (Gordon) Stevenson, five children: Rachel (Scott) Larson, Amelia Meunier, Jed Meunier, Josephine Meunier, and Samuel (Katie) Meunier, and eight grandchildren: Noah (Emily), Gabriel, and Luna Larson, Seamus Birmingham, Adelina and Tess Fry-Meunier, Emery and Estella Meunier, as well as numerous extended family and friends. Nina was preceded in death by her parents William H. Elder and Nina Leopold Bradley.

This is a time to listen to our hearts and experience our interconnectedness. Metta is a Pali word translated as loving-kindness, which is a concentration practice to cultivate unconditional goodwill for all. This is Nina’s prayer for us.

~ Metta Prayer ~

May all beings be peaceful. May all beings be happy. May all beings be safe.

May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature.

May all beings be free.