Anita Stalter, a retired education professor and academic dean, unexpectedly died on Dec. 10, 2024. She was age 77. 

Stalter began at Goshen College in 1987 in the education department. First, teaching part time, and later becoming a full-time professor in 1989. She later served as the chair of the education department, and eventually became the interim dean of students. 

In 2001, Stalter became the first woman in the history of GC to be academic dean. She continued to serve as academic dean for 14 years until her retirement in 2015.

A celebration of life service was held at the Goshen Theater, on Sunday, Feb. 2, to honor and remember Stalter, with a livestream set up for online viewers. 

The celebration began with members of her family singing “In My Life” by The Beatles. Her son, Jay Lapp, a member of The Steel Wheels, played his mother’s guitar. 

During the celebration, friends and family shared their memories of Stalter.

Kathy Meyer Reimer, professor of education and director of elementary education, came to GC in 1990 and started teaching in the 1991 academic year. “Anita was warm, and understood what it was to be human,” she said. “She had a heart for students, and truly loved her teaching, and she loved the people she taught.” 

Meyer Reimer told a story from early in her career, about Stalter’s modeling of patience and grace. “She modeled patience with yourself, with your children and joy in family and life.”

“One day Anita was teaching,” she said. “Our administrative assistant got a call from Jay who was then in late elementary school, and he said he needed to talk to his mom.”

Jay said it was urgent, and so Stalter stepped out of class. “The urgent issue of the day was ‘What are we going to have for supper so I know what snack to have this afternoon?’” 

“Anita just laughed,” she said.

Melissa Kinsey, retired business professor and alumni director at GC, reminisced on her recent friendship with Stalter. 

“Anita basically took me under her wing,” she said. “For all of her strength and skills and so forth, she really was a humble and somewhat quiet and really a shy person.” 

After both Kinsey and Stalter retired, they would spend a lot of time in each other’s company, getting lunch, going out or even going grocery shopping. “That was one way of making it more efficient and making it more fun,” Kinsey said.

In 2006, Stalter and her daughter, Rachel Lapp Whitt, wrote a book called “More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Indiana Women” as part of the More than Petticoats series. 

“Anita is a remarkable Indiana woman,” Kinsey said, who brought one of her books to have Rachel Lapp Whitt sign her name, next to her late mother’s signature.   

Anita Stalter with family and friends

Everyone who spoke and shared memories mentioned Stalter’s love of books and continued learning after retiring. 

“She always had a stack of books she was reading, and when she died, she had multiple holds waiting for her at the library,” said Meyer Reimer.   

“She loved to read, she never stopped learning and she never stopped encouraging others to learn,” said Kinsey. 

Judy Hartzler Gaffron grew up down the road from Stalter, and the two were born one month apart from each other. She spoke about Stalter’s early life and childhood, growing up together.

“Anita was always good,” she said. “She was so sweet and so loveable.” 

“It’s my hope that you too, have experienced her amazing grace, the strength of her character, her acceptance and compassion, and her unconditional love in your lives,” Hartzler Gaffron said. “If you did not know her that way, it is my hope that each of you already have, or will find your own Anita to enrich your life, just as she has enriched mine.” 

Just as the ceremony started with music, it ended with members of The Steel Wheels performing their song “I Will Love You.”

After the main celebration, guests moved upstairs, where cinnamon rolls, a Stalter family classic, and refreshments were available. The family encouraged others to speak during this time — to share and connect with one another.