Ann Staker, 89, passed away Feb. 8, 2006 in Salt Lake City, UT.

Someone once wrote, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Such was the life of Ann Jenkins Staker who brought great joy to those who loved her and grace and beauty to the world in which she lived.

She was born in a small log home built in an orchard on the bank of an irrigation canal near Ucon, Idaho. She was the fourth child and only daughter of eight children. She survived all of her brothers and cared for several of them at the end of their life.

Life on a potato farm before World War I was difficult and demanding. Ann was the only one to assist her mother to prepare the huge meals for the harvest crews.

She survived the flu epidemic of 1918 which took many friends in their little community.

She was a good student and finished at the top of her class at Ucon High School. She was employed in Idaho Falls for several years and as World War II loomed ominously on the horizon, she was courted by and married Alden B. Staker on November 30th, 1939.

To their union was later to come two sons and two daughters; Larry Victor (Michele) Staker of Salt Lake City, UT; DeeAnn (Garth) Dustin of Idaho Falls, ID; Denzel (Susan) Cordell and Julie (Delmar) Wyatt both of Denver, CO.

She gave unselfish service to her church as a leader in youth and ladies organizations. She and Alden served a mission in Cali, Columbia.

Ann and Alden owned a group of apartments and well manicured, large white home on Boulevard became something of a landmark where family loved to gather to enjoy the local parades. There are twenty grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, the last of which was born the day after her demise. She was preceded in death by her late husband.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 13, 2006, at the Idaho Falls LDS 9th Ward Chapel, 395 2nd St.. The family will visit with friends Sunday evening from 6-8:00 p.m. at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and Monday at the church one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Ucon cemetery. services.