Joseph Edward Stablein

Joseph Edward Stablein, age 88, of Coon Rapids, IA, passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids with Fr. Patrick Behm as Celebrant.  Music for the Mass will be by the Annunciation Choir with Diane Slater as organist and grandson Trevor Howell as soloist.  Lector for the Mass will be Martha Stout.  Gift bearers Isabelle and Adeline Phipps. Casket bearers will be Nick Pflug, Brandon Pflug, Ben Phipps, Brad Phipps, Trevor Howell, Elisa Tonne, Vanessa Darden, Cassidi Howell, Gwendalyn Thompson, and Amelia Thompson.  Mass servers will be Cal and Ty Heydon. Burial will be in the Union Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids with military honors by the Coon Rapids American Legion and the Iowa National Guard.

Visitation will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5 – 7 P.M. on Monday evening.  The casket will be moved to Annunciation Catholic Church at 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday where visitation without greeting the family will continue until 10:15 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the White Rock Conservancy and may be left with the funeral home or at the church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Joe was born on March 28, 1933 in Galesburg, IL, and he was the son of George and Helen (Tracy) Stablein.  Joe grew up in Galesburg where he graduated from Corpus Christi Catholic High School.  Joe was drafted into the United States Army following high school and served two years.  Following his military service he attended Western Illinois University and Knoxville College in Galesburg.  Joe held a Master’s degree in Education and taught school in Gurney, IL, Montrose, CO, Onawa, IA, Lincoln, IL, and Coon Rapids where he served as Principal.  Joe was married to Gwendolyn (Scheer) Pflug on February 16, 1985.  Joe and Gwen traveled to Colorado every summer for 20 years where he worked as a seasonal forest ranger for the U.S. Forest Service.  Joe retired in 2001 and they enjoyed traveling to see their children in Montana and New York.  Joe enjoyed reading, raising horses, his dogs Kara and Heidi, hiking, writing, spending time outdoors, and telling stories which touched many lives and changed each time they were told.

Joe is survived by his wife Gwen of Coon Rapids; his son Dal Stablein of Carroll  and daughter Kerri Howell (Scott) of Buffalo, NY; Gwen’s children: Matt Pflug (Sandra) of Ames, Kristi Phipps (Bryan) of Atkins, IA, and Jennifer Pflug (Tom Thompson) of Billings, MT; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a sister Jane Lee (Larry) of Galesburg, IL; two brothers: Fred Stablein of California and Ron Stablein (Gladys) of St. Clair, MI; two sisters-in-law: Joyce Pendley (LeRoy) of Fremont, NE, and Martha Andersen (Steve) of Arlington, NE; and several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents George and Helen Stablein; and a granddaughter Kelsey Pflug.