Alma Lavonne Stapleton

Alma Lavonne Stapleton passed away peacefully in her home on September 11, 2021 in Medical Lake, WA. Alma was born in McConnellstown PA on June 7, 1935 to Archie and Essie States. She grew up and graduated from Huntington High School in Huntington PA, and at the age of 18, met the love of her life, Thomas Stapleton. They married on November 10, 1951 and were married for 68 years. After traveling with Tom for 20 years in the Air Force, they settled in Medical Lake WA where she and Tom raised two daughters and made many wonderful friends. Alma worked a variety of jobs throughout her life time. She worked as a seamstress in a sewing factory in Pennsylvania, a substitute teach in Guam, Manager of a sandwich shop at Eastern State University in Cheney WA, and Centurytel Billing Clerk in Medical Lake WA, where she retired from in 1989. Alma always felt her most important job was being the best mom and wife to her family. Alma is survived by her daughters, Sheryl (Dan) Gosser of Medical Lake WA, and Janice (John) Stanley of Medical Lake WA, and her brother Fred (Kathy) States of Huntington PA, and sisters Iva Borden of Spokane WA, and Isabel McMahan of McConnellstown PA. Grandchildren Teresa Stanley of Nashville TN, Megan Gosser of Northport WA, Jeremy Gosser of Loon Lake WA, Lauri (Ryan) Bonnell of Rochester NY, Brandon (Adria) Stanley of Coeur d'Alene ID, and Jennifer (Don) Adams of Spokane WA. Great grandchildren Chad and John Gosser of Northport WA, Nolan and Brynn Bonnell of Rochester NY, Wesley and Eli Gosser of Loon Lake WA, Mallory and Reid Stanley of Coeur d'Alene ID, and David and Toby Adams of Spokane WA. Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Stapleton, brothers Jim States, Donald States, Gary States, and sister Belva Dickson. Alma had many friends and was a sister or second mom to many. She was loved by many, and will be missed every day. The family would like to Thank everyone at Kindred Hospice who took care of mom during her final months. Mom was very fond of her nurse, Emily and would always have a sweet smile for her. Services will be held on November 5th at 1:45PM at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, on Espanola Road, Medical Lake WA with a Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering following the service.