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   Sylvia Geraldine “Geri” (Storey) Staley passed away peacefully at Lexington Landing Arbor, St. Paul, MN, under hospice care, on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Geri is survived by her husband of 70 years, Tom Staley, her son Phillip (Marcie) Staley, daughters Kymn (Eric) Paulson, Stefanee (Michael) Townsend and Jane (Craig) Farnsworth, a loving grandmother to thirteen (13) grandchildren and seventeen (17) great-grandchildren and her sisters Nina (David) Anderson and Gayle (David) Bier. She was proceeded in death by her parents, William E. and Vera Storey, brother and sister-in-law William (Bill) B. and Norma Storey, and sister Retha (Charlie) Heintz.  

   Geri, born and raised in Joliet, IL, was a 1953 graduate of Joliet Township High School. She earned a degree in Education from the College of St. Francis and went on to become a first-grade teacher at Union School in Joliet, IL for 20 years. She was recognized as Will County Reading Teacher of the Year for her innovative ideas to encourage children to love to read.

   Upon her retirement in 1994, she and Tom built and settled into their lakeside home in Longville, MN where they lived for 30 years (before relocating to St. Paul, MN in 2024). There she continued to use her teaching skills to substitute for the local school district. Geri also was active in community events assisting at the Longville Food Shelf, working the weekly summer Longville Turtle Races-as the turtle mascot, was a timer for Race Around Woman 30K, supporting member of Salem Lutheran Church’s Music in the Park Committee, volunteering for Hospice, ushering at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids, MN and was extremely involved with the Blackwater Lake Association committed to the Healthy Lakes Committee. 

   Geri could be found working on one of her favorite activities – quilting, sewing, gardening or painting. She often went for long walks ‘on the road’ or in the woods always finding something to marvel at. Her sense of curiosity was always at play pointing out the uniqueness of the smallest objects. She and Tom could often be seen having an evening dinner on the lake on their pontoon boat waiting for the sun to set. 

   A memorial service was held for the family and friends at Lexington Landing. Memorials can be sent to Longville Food Shelf or Salem Lutheran Church, Longville, Minnesota or to a local hospice.

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