E. Zoe Stalker, 81, died October 4, at Westview of Indianola. She was born in Deannville, WV and grew up in Weston WV, graduating from Weston HS in 1942 before moving to Akron OH where she met and married J. Kenneth Stalker in 1943. They resided in Pittsburgh, PA where their son, Terry was born in 1947. Zoe and family moved to Des Moines in 1949 and worked in the Iowa State Legislature for several years.

As the founder of Iowa’s oldest and largest uniform store, Zoe’s Uniforms in downtown Des Moines, she was a pioneer among Iowa’s business women. With her husband, Kenneth Stalker, she opened her first shop on the second floor of the old Kresge building in 1956. During her three decades in business, she provided uniforms for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, including graduation uniforms for nearly every nursing school in the state, beauticians and cosmetologists, and service wear for grocery and restaurant workers and similar professions. She relocated the store three times before she sold the business and retired in 1986.

Although she was a working mom she and Kenny always had time for their son’s many activities and supported both his sports career from little league baseball through college football. She also supported and encouraged his pursuit of academic achievement supporting his efforts from Hubbell grade school through graduate school. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed camping in tent or motor home, water sports and travel with friends and family.

Zoe touched the lives of many people, not just in business but in her personal life as well. She was a fifty-year plus member of Grace United Methodist Church and of Indianola Chapter #338, Order of the Eastern Star. She was active in the Des Moines Chapter, Altrusa International.

Survived by son, K. Terry Stalker, PhD., and wife, Suzanne of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter, Elizabeth Stalker, Albuquerque; sister, Reva Bennett, Indianola; niece, Joy Stalnaker (Mrs. Daril), Horner, WV; nephew, R. Jene Gregoire (wife, Darlene)of Coalport, PA; two great-nieces and two great-nephews; and special friends, Darrel Kuhlman of Des Moines, Nancy & Joel Meyer and children Patty Zoe, Amanda, and Justin of Cumming, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Kenneth Stalker, and sister, Vivian Rollins.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 1 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Care~University Chapel with interment at Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 to 8 at the funeral home with a Easter Star Service at 7 p.m.