Gerald Arthur Stille

December 9, 1935 - January 4, 2022

Gerald Arthur Stille, age 86, of Schaller, Iowa passed away peacefully and went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Funeral services will take place Sunday, January 9, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Burial will be in the Immanuel Reformed Cemetery in rural Schaller. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 4-6:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in SCHALLER. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements. Gerald Arthur Stille was born on December 9th, 1935, in Buena Vista County in rural Alta to Irene (Burkhardt) and Henry Stille. He attended Maple Valley #7 Country School through 5th grade and graduated from Alta High School in 1953. He attended Iowa State College for one year and served in the United States Army from 1958-1960. (As Gerry prided himself in saying - he was in the Army as a radio operator 1 year, 11 months, and 22 days.) While serving in Germany, he traveled to many foreign locations such as France and Switzerland and spent time with Stille relatives. Gerry also served in the Army Reserves for three more years and was honorably discharged. He began farming in 1960 and never really retired. On June 5th, 1960, Gerry married Carolyn Ringgenberg at the Presbyterian Church in Lytton. To this union was born a son, Mitchell Alan, and a daughter, Kristin Kay. Gerry was baptized, confirmed, and a life-long member on Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ until its closing in 2006. As a member he served as Sunday School superintendent, elder, and deacon. For many years he served as the church treasurer as well as treasurer of the church cemetery. After the closing of their country church, Gerry & Carolyn became members of St. Paul Lutheran of Schaller. He also served as a member of the Agland Coop board of directors and on the FHA Board during the farm crisis. Gerry was on the Schaller Public Library Board for a number of years. Gerry was an avid reader. He was a long-time member of the Schaller Men’s Bridge Club as well as several other couples bridge clubs. He and Carolyn enjoyed traveling - having been to all 50 states except Delaware - also Mexico, Canada, and Central America. They attended many concerts. His favorites included Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and the Highway Men. Some of his greatest joys included: traveling with Carolyn; boating on Sundays with his sisters’ families - which included bonfires on the south shores of Storm Lake, waterskiing, and Gerry himself skiing past the age of 65; attending sporting events that his children and grandchildren participated in; and in later years watching the great-grandchildren grow. He is survived by his wife Carolyn of 61 years; his son Mitchell (Dena) Stille and his daughter Kristi (Jodi) Bihrer; his grandchildren: Heath (Lindsey) Stille, Morgan Stille, Austin (Victoria) Stille, Kayla (Brad) Woodke, and Bentley Bihrer. Also, seven great-grandchildren: Greyson, Jaxton, and Beckett Stille; Remington and Wilder Stille; and Nora and Emma Woodke. He is also survived by sisters: Kathleen Schmitt and Karen Johannesen; sisters-in-law: Pat Peyton and Jeanne (Larry) Randolph, several nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Irene Stille; brothers: Henry (Ellen) Stille and Robert Stille; brothers-in-law: Richard Schmitt, Gordon Johannesen, Dean Ringgenberg, and Duane Peyton, as well as in-laws: Clarence & Rachel Ringgenberg.