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 Essing, and ended at Unity Point Health – St. Luke’s in Sioux City, Iowa, on Dec. 18, 2023, 16 years to 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 schoolteacher, 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 city, 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...I leave behind daughters, Donna Stiles of Sequim, Washington my sister, Linda Essing; brother- and sister-in-law Robert L. and Bernita (Sindy) Stiles. I leave behind daughter, 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 11:00am Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Audubon at the multi-purpose room of the Audubon Elementary School, 600 Tracy St. My cremains will be scattered during a private service on the family farm, the Wild 80, in Guthrie County, Iowa.

Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.