Lorna Stiles

     Lorna, being a unique individual, with the assistance of her son Marc, penned her own life story for everyone to enjoy.

     What an amazing life I had. It started humbly on Nov. 13, 1930, on a Pocahontas County, Iowa, farm near Pomeroy, where I had caring parents, John “Red” and Adeline (Gutz) Essing, and ended at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s in Sioux City, Iowa, on Dec. 18, 2023, 16 years to do the day after the love of my life, Don Stiles, died.

     Growing up, I had access to books from Pomeroy’s public and school libraries, and read about faraway, exotic places and dreamed about visiting.

     I attended Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, where I met Donald E. Stiles, a farm boy from Guthrie County, Iowa, near Bayard. We married June 3, 1951, in Pomeroy. Travel wasn’t in our budget, so we honeymooned in Sioux City, but saved up for a trip to New York City a year later.

     I taught at elementary schools in rural Iowa, and in 1960 we settled in Audubon, Iowa, where we raised three children. I taught briefly in Exira and later in Audubon, where I served in the classroom for over 20 years. I attended summer school, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973, from Northwest Missouri State University in Marysville. After retiring I had several stints in New York City and Hawaii, where I worked as a nanny.

     Our family spent parts of summers traveling across the United States, and once the kids were grown I started traveling on my own. One of my first adventures was to Baja, Mexico, where I camped on the beach and counted gray whales as part of a university study.

     In Europe I met a veteran adventurer and fellow school teacher, Pat Heney of Rochester, New York, and over the years we traveled across Europe and to parts of Asia and South America. On my own I traveled to Thailand and Egypt, where I visited the Sphinx on horseback. My nephews John and Randy Stiles hosted me in Thailand and Egypt, respectively. Paris was my favorite, and I was thrilled to share my love of the City of Light on trips with most of the grandchildren. Don and I traveled to Europe as well, and we spent winters in Florida and Arizona.

     Early in our time in Audubon I was active in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School and serving on the altar guild and as an officer of the women’s circle. I also golfed often with my friend Gert Madsen. Later in life I mentored elementary school students and enjoyed my time as a member of the Audubon Lions Club and the Red Hats Club.

     After Don died, I continued to seek adventure. including a trip with Jackie Wahlert and other friends to Costa Rica, where I ziplined. I slowed down some and moved to the Exira Care Center in 2018. There I enjoyed the company of fellow residents and the caring staff and spent a few winters on my own in Florida. I recently moved to Bickford Senior Living in Sioux City.

     In addition to Don, I was preceded in death by my brothers, Merle and Dennis Essing; my sister, Linda Essing; brother- and sister-in-law Robert L. and Bernita (Sindy) Stiles. I leave behind daughters Donna Stiles of Sequim, Washington, and her former partner, Laurel Lee of Milwaukie, Oregon, and Jackie Stiles (Jim Eaton) of Sioux City, Iowa; and son Marc Stiles (Matthew Haggerty) of Seattle; grandchildren Mindy Lamonica (Shawn) of Islip Terrace, New York, John L. Rothmeier Jr., (Kate) of Wilton, Connecticut, Talor Lee-Stiles (Sarah) of Port Ludlow, Washington, Skyler Lee-Stiles of Portland, Oregon; great-grandchildren Marc, Tori and Jonny Lamonica, Adirah Lee-Stiles and Jack Rothmeier III; nephews and nieces; and many friends in Audubon County and beyond.

     Mine was a beautiful life with immeasurable blessings. I invite you to honor my spirit simply by being kind.

     Remembrances are suggested to the Audubon Community Schools Scholarship Fund, Audubon Public Library and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

     A celebration of my life will be held in Audubon at 11 a.m., April 27, in the multi-purpose room of the Elementary School (60 Tracy Street). Please wear my favorite colors, blue hues - sky, aqua, navy and turquoise. My cremains will be scattered during a private gathering at the family farm, the Wild 80, in Guthrie County, Iowa.