Inez Casale Stempeck ~ Class of 1946

Inez Casale Stempeck was born in 1927 at the Coney Island Dairy in Sparks, Nevada to John and Elvira Casale who immigrated to the region from Italy. She is the eldest of two children (brother Jerry). Inez attended Orvis Ring for Elementary school and Northside Junior High School for her middle school years.

            During her time at Sparks High School, Inez was asked to help out with the family business due to her father falling ill. She graduated from Sparks High School in 1946.

            After high school, Inez started a family with Casimir “Steamboat” Stempeck. They had six children – Charlie, John, Madaline, Tony, Helen, and Maria. Ultimately, she ran the business full-time after her husband’s passing in 1969.

            Inez was an integral part of the family business from the beginning. The business opened in 1937 as a fruit stand. Eventually, the business model changed to feature Italian fare and the fruit stand was rebranded as “Casale’s Halfway Club”.

            Inez’s six children attended Sparks High School. At 91, Inez continues to cook the food that has delighted generations of Reno and Sparks residents for over 70 years. Inez will always be remembered for her generosity, work ethic, and kindness to others.

Inducted 2018