Stookey, Gilda Agnes

Gilda Agnes Stookey, 92, of The Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids, formerly of Palo, was born June 21, 1920, to George and Mattie (Hagerman) Minor. She lived her early years on a farm near Toddville, where she rode Shetland ponies and attended country school until she was 13. The family then moved to Palo, where Gilda settled in to her new community, became active in the Palo Methodist Church and graduated from high school.

Gilda married John Stookey on April 5, 1943. In their 69 1/2 years of marriage they traveled a long road and, as they both would say, a good one. Together they farmed the Stookey farm. Together they opened and ran Palo Welding. Together they raised three children. Together they were blessed with 10 grandchildren and a fine collection of great- and great-great- grandchildren. Each addition to the family brought additional joy to their lives.

Gilda was also a cook in the Palo School cafeteria, a clerk in the Palo post office and then a mail handler in the Cedar Rapids Post Office until she retired.

Gilda was a little lady with a big heart. She thought of others first and wished the best for everyone. She looked for the good in people and usually found it. Gilda knew the strength of simple gestures like baking cookies to share with neighborhood children and sending greeting cards to family and friends.

She loved quietly but ferociously. When she hugged you, you knew she meant it. Her special loves included her husband, her family, laughing and the sound of children's laughter, her friends everywhere, growing flowers, and her home in Palo which was lovingly built for her by her husband.

Gilda passed away Nov. 3, 2012.

She is survived by her husband, John; their children, Mary Ann (Jack) Jackson, Ron (Sue) Stookey and Tom (Rose Frederick) Stookey, as well as all the grandchildren; her sister, Charlotte Packingham; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister.

Graveside services will be held at 11:15 a.m. Nov. 6 in Palo Cemetery, followed by an 11:45 a.m. Celebration service at the Palo Methodist Church and lunch in the church fellowship hall. Pastor John Howerton will lead the services.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Gilda's name.

Gilda's family offers heartfelt thanks to all who have cared about her throughout her life and, more recently, all those who cared for her.

Published Nov. 4, 2012 in The Gazette