Gayle M. Stokes

Gayle Maxine Stokes, 74, of Ventura, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018 at Hospice of North Iowa, Mason City.

Per her wishes Gayle has been cremated. A celebration of life will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, at Lakeview Community Center, City Park, in Clear Lake, 10 North Lakeview Dr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family, 320 Oriole Court, Tiffin, IA 52340.

Gayle Maxine (Westcott) Stokes was born June 8, 1944, daughter of Rex and Esther (Jacobsen) Westcott, who farmed north of Clear Lake.

She spent all her school years at Ventura and graduated with the class of 1962.  She was very active in school, playing guard with the basketball team that went to the state tournament in 1961.  She was chosen as the Homecoming Queen her senior year.  She later attended AIB in Des Moines, working towards a secretary degree.

She married Gordon Stokes on Feb. 17, 1965. Gordy served in the Army and was stationed in Freising, Germany, near Munich.  She joined him a month after their marriage, still just 20 years old, to start the adventure of a lifetime!  They built two homes, one in Clear Lake and after they sold that, they built one on the home farm.

Gayle had a long resume, she worked at many different businesses in the area, including United Sugar.

Their two sons were the light of her life, Shane and Christian.  The boys were involved in many activities.  Gayle and Gordy were always there to cheer them on and were so proud.

She and Gordy had many friends, many good friends, if there were no friends when they arrived at their destination, they always had new friends when they left.

Gayle liked to drink coffee, play bridge, do crosswords, watch the birds, read, and watch TV.  She was a great dancer and loved music.  One of her favorite songs was, “I Am Woman Hear Me Roar,” by Helen Reddy, and this song truly fit her personality. Gayle was not timid.  She had many strong opinions and was outspoken, yet endearing. Gayle developed many meaningful relationships while at the care center in Garner.  She often spoke of how grateful she was to have such great friends.

She is survived by her son, Shane (Dawn) Stokes, and their children, Brittani and TJ Woods and their son, Talon, Hunter (Tayler Foster) Stokes, Hanna (Mitchell Stopko) Stokes and Brienna (Ellie Dixon) DeShaw; son, Christian Stokes, his children, Alyson and twin sons, Tristan and Colby; brother, Richard Westcott; nieces, Anne Happel, Sarah Willis, Margaux Foster, Danielle Westcott; and nephew, Brook Westcott.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon Stokes; sister, Phyllis Willis.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.