Mary Stauch Christopher 1921-2002

CHRISTOPHER SIMONS, STAUCH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/17/2009 at 22:44:58

Sioux City Journal
19 April 2002

WHITING, Iowa -- Mary Stauch Christopher, 80, of Springfield, Mo., formerly of Whiting, died April 6, 2002, at the Elfindale Manor Nursing Home following a long battle with lung cancer.

Services were held in Springfield.

Mrs. Christopher was born July 25, 1921, in Whiting, the daughter of Dr. Martin O. and Lida (Simons) Stauch. She graduated from Whiting Consolidated High School in 1938 and attended the University of Iowa and San Diego State University. She was married to Charles William Christopher of Wampum, Penn., with whom she had one son, William D. Christopher. In 1970 she joined Rexnord Matthew's Conveyor Company in Ellwood City, Penn. working in the drafting department. She later moved to Danville, Ky., with them. Her proudest professional accomplishment was becoming a draftsperson with the Rexnord Corporation, a position she held until her retirement in 1983. She still has many well remembered friends in both Ellwood City and Danville.

In 1983 she moved to San Rafael, Calif., where she lived with her sister, Barbara Coons. While in California she loved her part-time work at North Bay Lighting where she quickly became a loyal and trusted colleague. Mary played golf weekly with the Marin Rovers of the McInnis Park Women's Golf League where she still has many friends. Her most recent memorable occasion was last July when 30 of her closest California friends joined her family and surprised her with an 80th birthday celebration. In June 1999 she moved to Springfield to be near her son, William D. Christopher and his wife, Rhonda, and to be a doting grandmother to their children, Alexis (age 3) and Ryan (age 1). In Springfield she enjoyed playing golf with all her friends in the Horton Smith ladies league and never missed a home SMS basketball game.

She enjoyed traveling and completing the daily newspaper crossword puzzle, which rarely challenged her. She was a passionate golfer, reader and poetry writer. We will all miss "Grandma Mary," especially her annual Christmas "pome". She was a very special person to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband; two brothers, Dr. Donald Stauch and Dr. Omar Stauch; and a sister, Barbara Coons.