STAKLAND, Elias 'Eli' B.

STAKLAND, EMBREE, CHAMNESS, EMMONS, SMITH, WORKMAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/13/2010 at 13:44:59

"The Fairfield Ledger", Friday, October 8, 2010, Page 10

STAKLAND, Elias 'Eli' B. -- Elias "Eli" B. STAKLAND, 85, of rural What Cheer, died Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, at home.

A memorial service with a traditional conservative Quaker meeting for worship will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Quaker Meeting House at Nelson Pioneer Farm near Oskaloosa, followed by a reception and family visitation from 3-5 p.m.

Mr. STAKLAND was born April 2, 1925, on the family farm in Pipestone County, Minn., the son of Ole and Mary EMBREE STAKLAND. In 1930, Mr. STAKLAND's family moved to a farm near What Cheer. Mr. STAKLAND attended the Beaman country school through eighth grade and then What Cheer High School for two years. He graduated in 1941 from Olney Friends School, a Quaker boarding school in Barnesville, Ohio. During World War II, as a conscientious objector, Mr. STAKLAND served for two years in the Civilian Public Service in North Dakota, Arizona and California.

Mr. STAKLAND launched his life-time career in farming in 1946. He married Olive CHAMNESS Oct. 3, 1950, at Hickory Grove Friends Meeting House in West Branch. He retired from farming after growing and harvesting more than 50 seasons of crops. He taught his sons farming, carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring, welding, machinery operation, animal husbandry and creative invention.

Mr. STAKLAND was an active member of Coal Creek Monthly Meeting and Iowa Yearly Meeting, organizations of conservative Quakers. He taught Sunday school, served as a 4-H leader and served on the school committee for Scattergood Friends School near West Branch. He was a driving force behind the renovation of the What Cheer Opera House. He served on the Keokuk County Fairgrounds Board of Directors and was trustee of Van Buren Township. He also was a long-time member of Farm Bureau, participating at the local and state levels.

Mr. STAKLAND enjoyed reading, completing crossword puzzles, and playing competitive games. He loved nature.

Survivors include his wife; five sons, Eric E. and wife Emily of Fairfield, Ronald and wife Maricela of Fairfield, Steven K. and wife Patricia of Draper, Utah, Wayne of What Cheer and David and wife Roberta of Fairfield; 13 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Sara EMMONS STAKLAND; and two sisters, Celia Ann SMITH and Barbara WORKMAN.

Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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