Gail Jeanne Stream

Gail Jeanne Stream, 81, passed away peacefully on January 28th at her residence in Anderson, CA.

Gail was born on May 30, 1943, in Superior, Wisconsin, to Gary and Dorothea Tostrud. She was one of three devoted sisters, including Joyce Wotruba Polson and Kathleen Imhoff. She was raised in Racine, Wisconsin, in a home where faith, music, creativity, and education were revered.

Gail attended Racine Lutheran High School before graduating from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL. She began her teaching career in New Orleans, LA, and later in Battle Creek, MI. She was a preschool teacher and director in Phoenix, AZ, and completed her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education at Arizona State University. In addition to her full-time teaching career, for several years Gail also taught Early Childhood Education at Modesto Junior College. In Modesto, CA, she was a preschool teacher and director, and later taught 2nd grade for 20 years. Her classrooms always had handmade murals, many pets (that occasionally escaped to visit other classrooms), and a camping tent for students to go in and read books. Gail retired to Redding, CA, to be near grandchildren.

Beyond her family, Gail touched so many lives as a teacher, volunteer, neighbor, and friend. Gail had a genuine interest in every student and always had an encouraging word and a sparkle in her eye. As a foster parent, her love and encouragement forever made a difference. Her faith in God and her joy in appreciating flowers and the outdoors were the touchstones of her days. Gail was an accomplished pianist and in high school played the trumpet in the Elks Youth Band, marching in many parades. She loved listening to classical music and attending concerts.

Gail enjoyed going on wildflower hikes and garden walks with her friends and family. "She's such a gem," was a favorite way to describe someone. Sharing special children's books with absolutely everyone brought her happiness. Her creativity was inspiring and she was quick to make something out of nothing, taking scraps and creating costumes and cards with her students, children, and grandchildren. Family visits often included playing badminton (sometimes even in the living room), a tour of what was blooming in her garden, music time at the piano, and a game of Boggle.

Gail was active in her church and church choir, bell choir, Masterworks Singers (performing at Carnegie Hall), garden clubs, Sierra Club, book clubs, Redding Women's Shelter, and as a board member at Faithworks and the North State Symphony.

Our relationship with her has not stopped even though she is no longer here. Gail is survived by her daughter Gaynell (husband Tom, and children Kyle, Claire, and James), son Andrew (wife Karin, and children Connor and Jessa), and sister Kathleen (husband Clement), foster daughter Lois (child Giselle), and foster daughter Maria (husband Eric, and children Meredith, Madeleine, and Genevieve), niece Wendy, and nephews Fritz, Ethan, and Eliot, grand nieces, and grand nephews. Gail's greatest delight was her nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 8th, at First United Methodist Church in Redding, CA. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers please consider sending a memorial contribution in honor of Gail to Redding Piano Angels or Faithworks Community Coalition of Redding.