MaryEllen Staff

MT. PLEASANT—MaryEllen Staff passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on August 8, 2013. MaryEllen (Lindblad) Staff was born November 19, 1930 in Racine WI to Carl & Amelia (Johnson) Lindblad. She was married to Donald C. Staff on August 9,1952 at Calvary Memorial Church (formerly Gospel Tabernacle) in Racine. Her schooling included Fratt Elementary, McKinley Jr. High, and she graduated from Washington Park High School in 1949. MaryEllen graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1952 from the music course; majoring on the piano. She was employed (prior to her education at Moody Bible Institute) at Modine Mfg. Co. in Racine. At a later time, she was employed at Walker Mfg. CO. in Racine while her husband was serving in the armed forces in Korea/Japan. MaryEllen received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at age 7 and loved Him all her life. She loved to sing and sang in the church choir, a girls trio and sextet, the Acapella choir at Park High School and the Moody Chorale at Moody Bible Institute. Her family, children, grandchildren and great grand-children were her greatest joy. She and her husband traveled many miles over the years to ensure that all their grandchildren knew them well and they knew and developed wonderful friendships with each child. Music was her vocation and she delighted in serving at Calvary Memorial Church in early years as a pianist and, also, pianist for the Christian Youth Broadcast on WRJN, and pianist at the Racine Rescue Mission. Later she served as organist for nearly 23 years at Calvary Memorial Church. She was the organist at Elmbrook Church in Waukesha, WI for a full 3 years. She also served in other churches in Arkansas and in the Minneapolis area. Most recently, she served for 10 years as pianist at Calvary Memorial. MaryEllen had a profound sensitivity in expressing music, many have noted. She has often said her prayer is that the music will bless and touch hearts, otherwise it is just notes. Her family was raised in Kenosha for 19 years prior to Don and she being employed at Bible Believers Cassettes ministry in Springdale, AR for 1 year and 9 months. She worked at American Hospital Supply Corp. in Illinois for 6 months and then was employed at the Evangelical Free Church Association office in Minneapolis for 4 ½ years as secretary in the missions department. She was employed for 6 years as secretary for the Kettle Moraine Evangelical Free Church in Delafield, WI. Survivors include her loving husband, Donald, of 59 years; son, Dr. David (Pamela) Staff of Ames, Iowa; daughter, Donna (Scott) Pedersen of Racine; son, Carl (Ginger) Staff of Lowell, Arkansas; ten grandchildren, Cameron (Janelle) Staff, Briana (Josh) Stensrud, Jared (Kristen) Pedersen, Kelley (John) Tutas, Elizabeth Pedersen, Rachel Sara, Ben, and Esther Staff, Abby (Dominick) Price; great-granddaughters, Kyah & Khloe Pedersen, Avery & Alice Staff, Josie Rae Stensrud, and Evelyn Tutas; two great-grandsons, Dylan Staff, and Jacob Tutas; sister-in-law, Bea Lindblad of Atlanta, Georgia. Also, surviving are cousins and many friends. MaryEllen was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, John, Elliott, Paul, and Wesley; and three sisters, Nancie Summers, Carol Gray, and Jean Robinson. Funeral services will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday August 17, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Dr. David A. Staff celebrating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at Wilson Funeral Home on Saturday morning August 17, 2013 from 12:00 noon until the time of the 2:00 PM service. "The family would like to thank the caring and loving staff at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare All Saints and Hospice Alliance" Memorials may be directed to Hospice Alliance in honor of MaryEllen.

MaryEllen Staff

November 19, 1930 - August 8, 2013