Charlene A. Staab, 88, Hays, died Thursday, October 1, 2026 at her home.
She was born September 5, 1938 in Hays, the oldest child of George and Adeline (Haas) Fisher. Charlene graduated from Ellis High School with the class of 1953. On October 5, 1957 she was united in marriage to Kenneth C. “Ken” Staab in Ellis, and they celebrated nearly 69 years of marriage. For 34 years Charlene worked in Hays, Great Bend, and Topeka as a telephone operator with Southwestern Bell, which became AT&T. She went on to work for 12 years in housekeeping at various hotels and assisted living facilities in Topeka. With Charlene’s love for decorating, the assisted living residents enjoyed the changing seasons and holidays with her special touches. She was a devout Catholic and member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
Charlene loved camping trips to Cedar bluff and enjoyed gardening and growing beautiful flowers. Her family meant everything to her and much of what she did centered around them. Extra love was put into every holiday and she made birthdays special for each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Another gift to her family were the many photo albums she put together, which captured not only family memories but also the wonderful love they shared.
Survivors include her husband Ken of the home in Hays, her son Dale Staab of Topeka, her two daughters Deborah Jacobs of Port St. Lucy, FL and Diane Kerr of Oro Valley, AZ, her brothers Marvin Fisher and wife Kay of Hays and George Fisher, Jr. and wife Debbie of Jacksonville, NC, her sister Lillian Bongartz and husband George of Ellis, two sisters-in-law Connie Fisher of Texas and Anita Dreiling of Catharine, 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son-in-law Cameron Kerr, three brothers Ronald Fisher, Norbert Fisher and wife Sherrie, and Kenneth Fisher, and two sisters Joan Fisher and LouAnn Dinkel and husband Edward.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nick Parker and Fr. Ron Comeau officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 pm in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ellis. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until service time with a Rosary at 10:00 am, all on Friday, October 23, 2026 at the church. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church or to TMP-M Endowment. Funeral services are entrusted to Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Charlene may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com