Louise Kay (Stiles) Stanley was born in Dexter, Iowa at home on September 5, 1930 to Carroll and Vera Stiles. She died at home on December 13, 2022 in Dexter, Iowa at the age of 92 at home surrounded by her family.
Kay had two sisters, Darlene and Donna and five brothers: Bill, Dean, Jerry, Randy and Danny.
She grew up in Dexter and spent all her 92 years living in town.
She grew up in the Depression era and helped to raise her five brothers. Her values were shaped by those Depression years. She attended Dexter Community Schools and never missed one day of school from grades Kindergarten to 12th grade. She was a proud Dexter Owl and was a gifted basketball player and an excellent student. She also played on the Dexter town softball team. She graduated with the Dexter Class of 1948. She worked at the Dexter Hospital and Drew’s Chocolates in Dexter.
She married Gerald Stanley of rural Stuart on March 12, 1949, in Guthrie Center, Iowa a marriage that would last for 48 years until the death of Gerald in 1997. To this union they were blessed with four children: Rodney, Bruce, Kyle, and Jerri Lynn.
Her family became her priority, and she devoted her life to raising them. She taught them the importance of doing things the right way, being responsible for your own actions, helping other people and to love one another. She did this by setting an example by the way she led her life. Always frugal but selfless, kind, generous, always helping those less fortunate and cheering for the underdog. She enjoyed the simple pleasures the most. She continued teaching to the 14 grandchildren those same basic values by setting an example for all of them.
Kay was actively involved in the Dexter Methodist Church of which she was a member her entire life. She was involved with various committees and organizations of the church. She was the chairperson of the funeral food committee for many years. She also served as a Sunday School teacher and in the summer, Bible School teacher. She had a very strong faith in God and Jesus and kept that to her final days.
As the grandchildren came, she enjoyed attending their activities, football games, basketball, softball, concerts, track meets, cross country, if there was a grandson or daughter participating Kay tried to be there. She was very proud of all her grandchildren and their accomplishments.
Kay was one of the best cooks around and it seemed like the kitchen was always open. Her cinnamon rolls were the best and nobody could top her black raspberry pies.
She and Dad always had a big garden and she canned, pickled, or froze much of the produce. She always made 100 quarts of pickles every year. She loved her radishes and green onions; three rows of onions were never enough. She enjoyed her strawberry patch and growing hollyhocks. Her dill pickles were legendary and a big hit with everyone particularly the grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved cooking for the family and Thanksgiving and Christmas were the highlights for her and she always fixed everyone’s favorites. She slowed down some in her later years but still made pickles this last year.
Kay loved playing cards. She belonged to several bridge clubs in her life and enjoyed many years of playing bridge with her friends every month. She later enjoyed playing bridge on her Grandpad. There were many other card games she played with family members. Kay was a very generous person but that ended with a card game. She did not like to lose. She also liked to watch the St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers when they were on TV. She loved feeding and watching the birds, squirrels, and occasional stray cat. She enjoyed poetry and would write poems for special events. Kay also loved making homemade May Day baskets for her family and friends. Kay was one of the most selfless people ever. She always worried about someone else. She continued this until her last days.
She was welcomed into heaven by her mother and father, Vera and Carroll Stiles; sisters, Darlene Gruber and Donna Dacre; brothers, Dean Stiles and Dan Stiles; husband, Gerald Stanley; and son, Kyle Stanley.
Kay is survived by her sons, Rodney (Debbie) of Panora and Bruce (Arlene) of Redfield; and daughter, Jerri (Chris) of Bear Creek; daughter-in-law, Tammy of Redfield; grandchildren: Chris Stanley, Andrea Wessels, Melissa Borneman, Leslie McKnight, Paula Elliott, Thad Stanley, Sarah Stanley, Scott Stanley, Jessica Jones, Celena Stanley, Jennifer Clementson, Tina Stanley, Kasi Hatfield, Kyle Snyder, Kate Adkins, Kalysta Adkins; 28 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bill, Jerry (Eleanor) and Randy; and a host of extended family and friends that will miss her dearly.
Kay lived life to the fullest for the 92 years and left a legacy for all of us in her family and the community of Dexter. She will be greatly missed by all.
Visitation will be from 6-8 P.M. on Thursday, December 15th at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Dexter. Funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. on Friday, December 16th at the Dexter United Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Dexter Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Kay Stanley Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers in memory of Louise Kay (Stiles) Stanley, visit the Tribute Store.
15
Dec
814 Washington Ave
Dexter,, IA 50070
16
Dec
707 Warren Street
Dexter, IA 50070
Dexter
Dexter, IA 50250
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