Marjorie Louise Stalnaker

Marjorie Louise Wamsley Stalnaker - everyone called her Marge - passed away on October 18, 2016 at the age of 99 in Houston after a life well lived. She was born on September 11, 1917 in Clarksville, Iowa to George and Bertha Wamsley. When Marge passed away, she was the oldest living graduate of Clarksville High School. After high school, she went on to earn a teaching degree from what is now the University of Northern Iowa. She taught school for several years in a number of different towns in Iowa. When WWII came along, she volunteered and served in the Navy as a WAVE. She taught pilots instrument flying in one of the earliest flight simulators, a Link Trainer. In 1944 while stationed in Corpus Christi, she met a young pilot named Edward "Stally" Stalnaker. They were married by her Lutheran pastor cousin in San Antonio just six weeks later. This marriage was to last for 67 years until Stally's death in 2012.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, husband Stally, and her two brothers Leon and Harry Wamsley. She is survived by her three children: daughter Valerie Williams and sons Noel and Randy Stalnaker. She is also survived by six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. She was a guiding light to all of them.

In addition, she was a woman of numerous accomplishments and skills. Marge became an excellent quilter and won numerous prizes for the design and quality of her quilts. She displayed her leadership skills while serving as President of Houston's Westside Newcomers Club and greatly expanded its membership. Many young individuals were helped in starting their paths to financial success because of the guidance she gave them while working for 20 years at what is now First Community Credit Union. She developed into a superb bridge player and enjoyed playing often with Stally and her many friends. Her guilty pleasure was watching the soap opera, Days of Our Lives, which she managed to do (almost) clandestinely for over 50 years. But, most important of all, she provided a loving and stable home.

Funeral services will be held on October 24, 2016 at 12:00 pm at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veteran's Memorial Drive in Houston, with a viewing preceding the service at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Marge's favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.