Staley, Mila Mae Eva (Gossman) 1922-1990

GOSSMAN, JAHNKE, STALEY, HOWARD

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 8/12/2011 at 22:16:28

SOURCE: Monona, Iowa MONONA BILLBOARD, April 12, 1990
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services for Mila Mae Eva Staley were held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa. Pastor Ted Ager officiated. Burial was in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Luana, Iowa. Honorary pallbearers were Lloyd Lamborn, Norbert Dettman, Bill Zenz, and Ray Staley. Casket bearers were Leo Bollman, Bob Schultz, Lorenz Lenth, Reynold Kann, LeRoy Howard, and Dwain Wolter. Schultz Funeral Home of Monona, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.

Mila Mae Eva, daughter of Harley and Elsa (Jahnke) Gossman, was born November 20, 1922 in Garnavillo, Iowa. She was baptized November 30, 1922 by Rev. K. Braun at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Garnavillo, Iowa and confirmed June 20, 1937 by Rev. H.P. Kumpf at St. John's Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa. She received her education in Luana Consolidated School, graduating from high school May 15, 1940. She went into training to become a nurse in the armed forces. On August 6, 1944 Mila was united in marriage to William Clyde Staley by Rev. A. DeGuire in the First Presbyterian Church in Mexia, Texas. The couple lived in Mexia and San Antonio, Texas for a year while Bill was stationed in the Army. They made their home in Luana, Iowa after the service. Mila was an Avon Representative for 25 years. She worked for Mr. and Mrs. Otto Finger in Fayette, Iowa and Calmar, Iowa from 1968 until 1983. She and her husband, Bill also managed "Little O" Drive-In at Calmar, Iowa for two years. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School since the age of 15. She was a member of the choir and served in various other church activities.

Mila died Friday, April 6, 1990 at Prairie Memorial Hospital in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, William; 2 daughters, Crystal (Dale) Howard and Kathleen (Stanley) Howard, all of Great Falls, Montana; and 3 grandchildren, William Howard, Rebecca Howard, and Trevor Howard.