Joseph Dean Staker Passes On

Our loving father, Joseph Dean Staker, age 96, passed from this life into the next, surrounded by his four beloved children on July 14, 2012 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Dad entered this world in Fairview, Utah on January 10, 1916, as a fourth generation of the Staker family in Utah. He was the son of John Fredrick and Hanna Chloe Carlston Staker. As a boy growing up in the Sanpete valley, his childhood was filled with youthful wonder, swimming in the creek, riding horses, raising pigeons and rabbits, and as he grew into a teenager, hanging out at the local café with his buddies. He was and always has been a country boy at heart. He learned the value of hard work at an early age from helping on the family farm. This work ethic followed him through his life. He was sixteen years old (fibbing about his age) when he joined the National Guard in 1932. When the guard was called to active duty in 1941, at the start of World War II, he served in the Military Police with the rank of sergeant. He served in this capacity until he returned at the end of the war in 1945. He met the love of his life, Helen “Ginger” Kelson, at the Dreamland Dance Hall in Ephraim, Utah. They were married December 20, 1938 and later sealed in the Manti Temple on April 14, 1964. Together they raised four children. He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a High Priest and was proud to serve in numerous callings. He is survived by his four loving children, Nancy R. Smith (Oliver), Vickie Hayward, Ron Staker and Deb Anderson. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, thirty-eight great grandchildren and fourteen great-great grandchildren. He loved his family beyond measure. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beautiful wife, son Larry Dean, sister Cleo Ream, brother Rex Staker, and twin great grandchildren Lauren and Zachary Benson. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 20, 2012 at 1:00 pm in the LDS fourth ward chapel, 49 South State Street, Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Friends may call Thursday evening at Rasmussen Mortuary, located at 96 N 100 W in Mt. Pleasant, from 6-8:00 pm and prior to the services at the church from 11:00 – 12:30 pm. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City cemetery with military rites. Full obituary and online condolences available at www.rasmussenmortuary.com
Dad’s family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff of Sanpete Valley Hospital and Intermountain Healthcare Hospice, who cared for our father with genuine tenderness and compassion.