Geraldine ‘Gerry’ L. Stiles

NORA SPRINGS — Geraldine “Gerry” L. Stiles, 88, of Rudd, passed away Saturday March 11, 2017 at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Per her request there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Rudd United Methodist Church, 611 6th St., Rudd, IA 50471, in memory of Gerry Stiles.

Gerry was born on May 30, 1928, the second of three children born to Elmo and Erma Smith of Volga, Iowa.

After high school graduation, Gerry went to Cedar Falls and attained her teaching certificate. Gerry began her teaching career in Rudd and remained teaching fifth grade there for the next three decades.

On Aug. 8, 1949, Gerry married Boyd Stiles and together they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Boyd passed away on July 2, 2000. During their marriage, Gerry continued teaching at the school while raising their three sons and taking on the chores of a farmer’s wife.

Gerry never met a person she thought could not be a friend. She easily fit into the retirement community she and Boyd joined in the early 1980’s in Bonita Springs, Fla. One could always count on Gerry to help at the retirees’ events and never hesitated to arrive in full-themed costume while encouraging others to do the same. When there were groups of retirees going on excursions, Gerry always arrived with newspaper clippings and magazine articles to stimulate conversation and to ensure newer members always felt included.

Throughout her adult life Geraldine remained a devoted member of the Rudd United Methodist Church, where she participated as a Circle member, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school for over 20 years. She was also an active member at the Bonita Springs Methodist Church in Florida.

Gerry never met a stranger and touched many hearts throughout her life. It was not unusual to find her at the Nora Springs Care Center going room to room getting to know each resident and their interests personally; only to arrive a few days later with a clipping or article for one of them. It was her self-appointed mission to share pieces of knowledge and bits of happiness with everyone who crossed her path.

Spring was Gerry’s favorite time of year. She always kept an eye out for the first burst of color indicating the cycle of life beginning anew. She loved the fresh blooms in springtime, her excitement of singing birds and wildlife was quite contagious. One could always count on Gerry to share her love and excitement upon spotting a momma deer and her newborn fawn right outside her bedroom window on the Rudd farm.

Geraldine is survived by her three sons: Bruce Stiles (wife Christina) of Broken Arrow, Okla., Mark Stiles of Providence, R.I., and Paul Stiles of Rudd.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kenneth and Donald Smith; and husband, Boyd.

Gerry will always be loved and greatly missed. She is beginning a new life with freedom from pain in a place where birds sing happily and colors glisten their brightest hues and God will surround her with comfort and love.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs, 641-749-2210, www.ColonialChapels.com.