Germaine L. Staley

Germaine Lucy Staley was born January 7, 1931, in rural Earling, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Antoinette Kenkel. She passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Reed Place in Denison, Iowa, at the age of eighty-eight.
Germaine was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. She graduated from St. Joseph School in Earling in 1948. On April 9, 1953, Germaine was united in marriage to Donald Staley at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. The couple settled on a farm near Earling until 1959, when they purchased a farm south of Charter Oak, Iowa. In 1994, Don and Germaine retired and moved into Charter Oak.
Germaine had many expressions of love for her family. From being a key partner in farming to feeding her family with a bountiful garden and fresh meat, Germaine’s life was dedicated to providing for her family. Germaine hosted many family dinners with their favorite foods. She embroidered wedding gifts and made baby quilts for grandchildren. She enjoyed caring for her children and grandchildren and provided many memories. Germaine was always ready with gifts of food and a helping hand. Germaine was an active member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Charter Oak and a member of the Altar Society. She was involved with the neighborhood Chit Chat Club and church card club. Germaine was employed by Staley’s Food Service for nearly 25 years. They still use many of her recipes.
Germaine was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents; step mother Irene; brother Robert; sister-in-law Maxine; and brothers-in-law Leonard and Marvin. Survivors include daughter Janet (David); five sons, Tom (Karen), Rick (Julie), Dean (Sharon) and Allen (Peggy), and Paul (Kim); nineteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; brothers Fr. Benedict and George (Bonnie), and Joe (Loretta); sisters: Bernice, Sister Kathleen, and Elaine (Germaine’s twin); and many other relatives and friends.