V. Blanche Staker, 88, of Gladbrook formerly of Garwin, died Friday, October 23 at Westbrook Acres in Gladbrook, after an extended illness. Visitation was Monday, October 26. Funeral services were Tuesday, October 27 at the Garwin United Methodist Church with Rev. Harry Wach officiating. Special services by the Order of the Eastern Star. A memorial fund has been established. Overton Funeral Home in Garwin were in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.overtonservice.com. V. Blanche Staker, 88, of Westbrook Acres, Gladbrook, Iowa formerly of Garwin died Friday, October 23, 2009. Her death came peacefully following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Services and celebration of her life were held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:30 am at the Garwin United Methodist Church, Garwin, Iowa. Visitation was on Monday, October 26, 2009 at the Overton Funeral Home in Garwin from 4:00 -7:00 PM. Born Vena “Blanche” Gilbert on August 15, 1921, in Page County, Iowa, she was the 7th of thirteen children born to Levi A. and Vena M. (Conkin) Gilbert. She graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1938 and moved to Des Moines where she worked as a legislative secretary and later for the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. On October 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to LaVern B. Staker in Kansas City, Missouri. When LaVern was deployed to Europe in WW II she moved to Washington, DC, and there worked for the national office of Agricultural Adjustment Administration. In 1945, she and LaVern moved to Garwin where they lived their entire married life. During that time she raised her children, was Secretary to the Superintendent of Garwin Community Schools and ended her working career as Deputy County Auditor of Tama County, retiring in 1987. She was actively involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star and Garwin United Methodist Church. Blanche, whose smile warmed all around, loved tending her rose garden, sewing and most of all loved having her 5 grandchildren close. She and LaVern enjoyed several years of wintering in Florida and gathering with friends and family. Left to celebrate her life are two daughters and their husbands; Dinny (Robert) Nielsen of Marshalltown, Iowa and Debby (Irv) Van Haaften of Clear Lake, Iowa; five grandchildren- Michael (Susan) Nielsen of West Des Moines, Iowa, Melissa (Jason) Goldson of Memphis, TN; Matthew (Shawnna) Nielsen of Des Moines, Iowa; Ryan (Tisha) Van Haaften of Minneapolis, MN and Kyle Van Haaften (fiancé Sarah Benz) of Urbandale, IA; seven great grandchildren- Lauren and Brendan Nielsen, Titus, Nehemiah and Magdalene Goldson, and Addyson and Brayden Nielsen. Also surviving are three sisters; Ella Mae Crawford of Shenandoah, IA, Myrtle Richardson of Gretna, NE and Lena Hewit of Palm Bay, FL; sister-in-laws; Norma Gilbert and Aletha Gilbert of Shenandoah, Marcia Gilbert of Clermont, MO, Jean Staker of Traer and Phyllis Earley of Cedar Falls, IA and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. In death she has rejoined her husband LaVern, her parents, seven brothers (Kimber, Orlan, Elmer, Ellis, Oscar, John and Oz) and 2 sisters (Evelyn and Eula) Memorials may be directed to the family.
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