Teresa Paige

Oskaloosa. Teresa Paige, 68, of Oskaloosa went to be with her Savior on Sunday, April 20, 2025, surrounded by family at the University of Iowa Hospital after her battle with cancer. She was born March 28, 1957, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, Iowa, the daughter of John H., and Marian Jessen Stearns, and welcomed home by her brothers Doug and Tony. She loved sharing stories about times in her youth of riding and showing horses with her family, where she earned many ribbons and trophies, as well as becoming rodeo queen. Teresa graduated from Clarke Community High School with the class of 1975. She continued her education at A.I.B., earning an associate’s degree in bookkeeping. Following school, she took a job as a bookkeeper at the Lucas County Hospital where she met the love of her life Richard Paige. On February 17, 1979, the two were united in marriage at the First Christian Church in Osceola. Following their wedding the couple established their life in Oskaloosa where they welcomed daughters Katie Michelle, Jessica Ann, and Amy Renee. She worked as a bookkeeper at Cablevey for a short time before going to work at G&L Industries. After several years there, she decided it was time to focus on caring for her family at home full-time for a few years. She and her friend Vicky owned and operated “Painting by Design” for several years where they did specialty paining in many homes and offices in Oskaloosa. In late 1998 Teresa took a temporary position at the Auditor’s office in Mahaska County. The Temporary position turned into a full-time position, and she worked in the Auditor’s office until she retired in January of 2023 as the Deputy Auditor for Mahaska County. Teresa’s faith was found in her savior Jesus Christ and trusted in His death on the cross for the forgiveness of her sins. Her love for God was evident in how she loved and served others. As a faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church in Oskaloosa, Teresa was active in teaching Sunday School, involved with children’s ministries, and she enjoyed decorating the church and keeping things looking fresh and inviting for each season. She used her gifts of hospitality, looking for ways to encourage others in times of need and celebration. She enjoyed refinishing furniture, attending her daughter’s and grandchildren’s events, and taking vacations with Rich (which sometimes included being bamboozled into attending races all over the country). Family was of utmost importance to Teresa, and she loved sharing her enjoyment of baking, cooking, and planting flowers with her grandchildren. She had a servant’s heart and was happy to volunteer to help others and, in retirement, enjoyed reading to kindergarten classes at the Oskaloosa Elementary School. Anyone that knew Teresa knew that she was always thinking about others and could probably share their own story as an example.

Her family includes her husband, Richard Paige of Oskaloosa; three daughters and their husbands, Katie and Jesse Johnston of Oskaloosa, Jessica and Nick Oliver of LeClaire, Iowa, and Amy and Gabe Yeakel of Bondurant, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Hayden, Owen, Silas, Grant, Elin Johnston, Justen Oliver, and was eagerly awaiting baby Yeakel due in October; two brothers, Doug (Beryl) Stearns of Osceola, Iowa, Tony (Susan) Stearns of Woodburn, Iowa; her mother-in-law, Wretha Paige of Chariton, Iowa; two brothers-in-law, Randy (Penny) Paige of Chariton, Iowa, and Russ Paige of Chariton, Iowa; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law, Donald Paige; and a brother-in-law, Ricky Paige.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Ronnie Hemsworth officiating. Burial will be in the Bloomfield Cemetery southeast of Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Oskaloosa, and the family will be at the church from 5-7p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church.