Jennifer Lee Stapleton

Jennifer Lee Stapleton, 49, of Sioux City, IA, passed away surrounded by her family on January 17, 2026. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m., with a visitation 1 hour prior at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Jennifer was born on July 5, 1976 in Sioux City, IA to John and Kathy (Nicks) Watson. She graduated from North High School in May of 1995 and went on to receive her nursing degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College. Jennifer was united in marriage to Rodney Stapleton on October 4, 1997. She was a devoted wife, mother, friend, and nurse. She worked as a CNA, RN, and LPN at Pace, Hallmark/Accura Healthcare, Sunrise Retirement Home, and recalls her most exciting job as a fight night nurse for local MMA fights. She was also an ADON MDS at Accura Healthcare. Jennifer shared her love for nursing by teaching CNA classes at Western Iowa Technical Community College. She loved traveling, often going to Cancun or anywhere with a beach. She also enjoyed spending time with loved ones, fishing, camping, crafting, beading, crocheting, and animals (more specifically, turtles).

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Rodney Stapleton; daughter, Paiten Stapleton; parents, John and Kathy Watson; brother, Jay Watson; sister, Teanne (Ryan) Copenhaver; and (Honorary) sister, Robin (Mike) Crain.

She is preceded in death by her grandmas: Floy M. Powell-Nicks and Mary Elizabeth Lee Watson-Anderson.