Loraine Stahl

Loraine Elinor (Stapleton) Stahl was born April 19, 1925, in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Roy J. Stapleton and Jennie Belle (Stowers) and parted our fellowship to her final rest to be with her Lord on January 24, 2021.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 1, 2021 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf.  Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Monday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.  The service will be live-streamed and a link will be available just prior to the service on her obituary page at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.

Loraine was the first of five children born to Roy and Jennie Belle, as the family grew during some very challenging times.  In her early years, she met Robert (Bob) Stahl, when they were in kindergarten, and grew up knowing each other from this very young age.  Entertainingly, on the last day of kindergarten, Bob decided to kiss Loraine on the playground, resulting in a slap, and a temporary delay to the inevitable relationship that would blossom some years later.  Growing up as the oldest child, Loraine was both older sister and caretaker helping to raise her younger siblings.  After high school, and during World War II, Loraine worked in Clinton.  Following the war, and upon being discharged, Bob again went seeking Loraine, with somewhat better results and thankfully no slap this time.  Loraine and Bob wed on September 14, 1946, in Clinton.  In the years to follow, and with two sons in tow, they moved from Clinton to Bettendorf, after Bob was hired at the Alcoa plant in Pleasant Valley.  After adding a third son, Loraine spent the early family years with Bob raising the boys on Cody Street, and holding several jobs as a secretary for a legal firm, for Shell Oil Company, and many years as the secretary for Asbury United Methodist Church in Bettendorf, the church where they were members for the remainder of their years.  Once the boys were grown and off on their own, Loraine and Bob spent their years involved in church, the love of the outdoors maintaining their yard, travelling to see their kids and grandkids, and just very much being in love.  Later in life, Loraine and Bob moved to the Davenport Lutheran Home, where that love continued, and they were cared for by a wonderful staff while making many new friends.

Loraine is preceded by her beloved husband, Robert (1925-2014), to whom she was married for 68 years; her father and mother; her four siblings Patricia (Gerald Moldt), Carol (Dave Wing), Richard (Marie) Stapleton, and Donna Mae Stapleton; her grandson Robbie Stahl; and her great-grandson, Liam Michael Stahl.  She is survived by her three sons, Roy Herman Stahl, Daniel Robert and his wife Kristi (Bedell) Stahl, and Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Alan Bruce Stahl (USA), and his wife Teresa (Newhouse); grandchildren Jennifer Stahl; Dana Stahl, Darcie Higham; Clay Bedell (Nicole Judge), Aaron Bedell (Karrie Bunch), Kara (Mike) Bedell-Greer; Colonel Brian (Alicia Albright) Stahl (USAF), Lieutenant Colonel Adrienne Stahl (USAF), and Eric (Danielle Smith) Stahl, and 19 great grandchildren.  While she will be greatly missed, we are all better for the simple fact that Loraine taught us how to love, and blessed us with her wonderful sense of humor during the 95 years she was gifted to us.

Memorial contributions to the Davenport Lutheran Home, or Asbury United Methodist Church (Bettendorf, Iowa), in lieu of flowers, would be most appropriate and appreciated.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing her obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.