Phyllis Foley Stapel

Phyllis Foley Stapel passed away on June 28, 2026 at her home in Riverside, CA, at the age of 96. She was born on October 11, 1929, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, where she also graduated from High School. Phyllis attended St. Olaf College for three years and the University of Minnesota for two years graduating with a B.S. in Medical Technology. She married Karl E. Stapel on May 31, 1953 at First Lutheran in Albert Lea. In 1957 they family now with 2 sons, Mark and Tim moved to Riverside, California. Phyllis worked in clinical laboratories first at Riverside Community Hospital then Riverside County Hospital where she finished a 40+ year career. Two daughters, Karen and Carol were born in the sixties to round out the family of four siblings. Karl worked as a High School science teacher until he became 100 percent disabled. Sadly, Karl passed away on February 2, 1970 leaving Phyllis a single parent. She lived in Riverside, California the rest of her life where her children all graduated from High School and she was active at Hope Lutheran Church. She sang in the church choir and later the Riverside Master Chorale with whom she traveled to Europe for a string of concerts in the UK. After retiring from Riverside County General Hospital she worked part time as an antibody ID specialist in the Riverside – San Bernardino Blood Bank. Over the years she did have a chance to visit ancestral Norway which was a great joy for her and something she cherished always. Phyllis is survived by her four children, Mark Stapel of Moorpark, CA; Tim Stapel of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; Karen Eager of Highland, CA; and Carol Stapel of Riverside, CA.