Corinne Jeanette Heaton Staples

Corinne Jeanette Staples, 94, was born in Watertown, South Dakota on March 23, 1914 and passed from this life on December 17, 2008. She grew up in Watertown, South Dakota and graduated from South Dakota State College with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education. She taught high school at Sisseton and Redfield, South Dakota and then returned to South Dakota State and taught for 3 years. She then went to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and received a Masters in Home Economics Education. There she met and married, Robert Staples, a graduate student in Entomology. Robert served in the Army in the Philippines during World War II and after he returned to Ithaca, a daughter, Lynne Dianne, was born. The family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1949 where Robert was a professor of Entomology at the University of Nebraska. In 1950 a daughter, Carolyn Mary, was born and in 1953 a son, Douglas Henry was born. When the children were in school Corinne was an instructor of Textiles, Clothing Construction and Design at the University of Nebraska. She retired in 1977.

When Corinne and Robert's health declined they moved to the Tri Cities in 1997 where they lived in the Manor at Canyon Lakes. Robert passed away in 2002 and Corinne moved to Guardian Angel Homes assisted living in Richland.

Corinne was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed many types of needle arts. She even learned how to weave and made cloth. She was also an excellent cook and enjoyed gardening and food preservation. She served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Helping Hands a store that sold goods made in third world countries in Lincoln. She was active in the University alumnae and county extension organization. She and Robert enjoyed taking ballroom dancing. They even learned disco dancing!

Corinne is survived by her daughter, Lynne Bitten and her husband, Ernie of Richland, WA, her daughter, Carolyn Ogawa and husband, Jeff of San Ramon, CA and son, Douglas and wife Donnetta of Medford, Oregon as well as six grandchildren, Zachary Kirsten Metcalf, Jacob Metcalf, Tara Ogawa, Gavin Ogawa, Sheena Trevor Hoagland, Collin Kayla Staples and great granddaughter, Adelynn Metcalf.

She is also survived by a sister, Jenn Knutson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and two brothers.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, December 21st in the Craftsman house at Guardian Angel homes, 245 Van Giessen, Richland with Inurnment following in the veteran's section of Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland. Memorial contributions can be made in Corinne's name to Guardian Angel Homes, 245 Van Giesen, Richland, WA 99352.