Alice Arlene Staples

Alice Arlene Staples

McGregor

Alice Arlene Staples, 90, of McGregor, Iowa, passed away Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, at Gundersen Health in La Crosse, Wis. Alice was born Sept. 8, 1933, to Louis and Alta (Anderegg) Troester on Moody Ridge in McGregor. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in McGregor. Alice graduated from McGregor High School and attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

On Sept. 22, 1956, Alice was united in marriage to Richard Staples at First Congregational Church in McGregor. Three children were born to this union.

Throughout the years, Alice had a very diverse nursing career. Upon graduating from St. Luke’s, she worked in the pediatrics department at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. In the summer of 1955 during the polio epidemic, Alice volunteered to support the Red Cross and was sent to the Amarillo Texas Polio Ward, where she cared for iron lung patients. Subsequently she worked at the McGregor, Prairie du Chien and Postville Hospitals. She then joined the Farrell Clinic in Prairie du Chien as a staff nurse. From there she became the administrator of the Great River Care Center in McGregor. The final chapter in her professional career was her work as the industrial nurse at the 3-M factory in Prairie du Chein. While there, Alice achieved the very prestigious Occupational Health Nurse certification. In addition to her work responsibilities Alice served on several volunteer medical institution boards including the Greater River Care Center where she advocated for patient rights, Clayton County Board of Health, Scenic Acres Center, and the Prairie du Chien Hospital. One of her last efforts was being an integral part of the committee that helped create the memorial wall at Crossing Rivers Hospital. In addition, Alice was also a lifelong key member of many committees at First Congregational Church.

The joy of Alice’s life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout the years, she supported her grandchildren by attending countless sporting and fine arts events. She was a wonderful cook and baker preparing her families favorite meals. Alice enjoyed socializing with her many friends. She was a true “people person” who had a kind word and smile for everyone she encountered. She was a great listener and advocated for all. She had many hobbies, particularly gardening and reading. She was a life-longer learner, with a particular interest in history.

Surviving Alice are her daughter, Lynn (Jim) O’Connor of Cedar Rapids; sons, Dan Staples of Cross Plains, Wis., and David (Tonya) Staples of Ventura, Calif.; her grandchildren, Mackenzie (Colin Malanaphy) O’Connor, Callie O’Connor (Wes Johnson), Camille (Jake) Rupnick, Madeline (Taylor) Staples-Jansen, Natalie Staples, Claire Staples, Nathan Staples, Daniel Staples and Allison Staples; three great-grandchildren, Amelia Jansen, Emerson Jansen and Charlie Jo Jansen; siblings, Eldon (Lorna) Troester of McGregor, Iowa, Raymond Troester of McGregor, Iowa, and Lyle (Bonnie) Troester of McGregor, Iowa, and Ruth Weigle of Waterloo, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Staples; daughter-in-law, Kim Staples; brothers, Carl Troester and Robert Troester; sisters-in-law, Janis Troester, Helen Beving and Donna Staples; brothers-in-law, John Beving, Virgil Staples and Larry Weigle; parents, Louis and Alta Troester; and nephews, Paul and Andrew Weigle, Tim Troester, William Lynch and Steve Staples.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at First Congregational Church in McGregor. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Monday.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at First Congregational Church in McGregor, Iowa, with the Rev. William Gentry as the officiant.

Inurnment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McGregor.

Memorials may be directed to First Congregational Church, McGregor Library or Turner Park Development.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa, is assisting the family with arrangements.