Vivian E. Staas

Vivian E. Staas, 91, of Freeport passed away peacefully on February 9 at Jovan Bea Mercy Health due to injuries sustained in a fall. She was born on April 23, 1934 in Winslow, IL, the daughter of Lloyd & Ruth (Ellis) Carter. She attended grade schools at Babbs Grove in Pearl City, in Cedarville, Defiance in McConnell, Lena Grade School and graduated from Lena High School in 1953 where she played the saxophone in the band. She was an only child and her father passed away when she was 11 years old and was raised solely by her mother from that point on. 

While in high school, she worked at the phone company, Lena Locker and the Poultry House, all in Lena. in 1956, she started working at General Casualty in Freeport and was there for 10 years. She was a stay at home mom for 8 years after the birth of her daughter. She then went to work in the Freeport Junior High School Cafeteria, and retired from there after 20 years.

She married Delbert Staas on September 15, 1962, and they were married 49 years. She enjoyed gardening and her garden was huge. Canning and freezing her garden gems was a favorite summertime pastime. She had every fruit tree in the backyard and her homemade cherry pie was the best. She loved making everything "homemade" and it tasted so good. She also loved to bake and it was from scratch, never from a box. She also enjoyed sewing and one year in the 70's made herself and her daughter matching dresses to wear to church on Mother's Day. Her favorite travel destination was out West to the mountains. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Freeport for over 50 years. She was a member of the Faith Worker's Sunday School Class, was a 1st & 2nd grade Sunday School Teacher in the 70's, served on the Alter Guild, volunteered her time in the church office and delivered Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed country music, spending time with her family & grandchildren and attending her daughter & grandchildren's activities they were involved in. She loved cats and had many during her life. She lived a happy Christian life and never spoke a negative word about anyone. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, several aunts, uncles, & cousins, brother-in-law Earl Baumgartner, sister-in-law Ruth Baumgartner, nieces Dianna Jacobs and Connie Marsh. 

She is survived by her daughter Wendy (Dave) Vehmeier, grandchildren Brittany (Ryan) Massey and Ben Vehmeier. Also surviving is a niece Kathy (Larry) Bohnert of Monroe WI and several great nieces & nephews. 

A private family service will be held Friday February 13, 2026. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial is being established for Faith United Methodist Church and Friends Forever Humane Society. Her family wishes to thank the ER staff in Freeport and the staff at Jovan Bea Mercy Health who gave great care & made her feel comfortable, Family is being assisted by Burke Tubbs Funeral Home.