Dale Lavern Stanley, age 86, passed away at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska, on May 16, 2021. Dale was born October 20, 1934, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and adopted at nine days of age by Eldon and Margaret (Lomax) Stanley. Dale was raised and spent most of his life on the family homestead southeast of Wilsonville, Nebraska. Dale graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1952.
On September 29, 1963, Dale was united in marriage to Theda Beth Jones at the Congregational church in McCook. To this union four children were born: Laura, Ellen, Jay, and Troy. Dale was a hard worker. He farmed, owned and operated Dale Stanley’s Mower Service, and hauled cattle by semitruck. He was a collector of many things (flashlights, tools, diecast cars), but his prize possession was his collection of antique Maytag kickstart engines. If it had a spark plug and took gasoline, Dale was interested and could make it run again. He was a great storyteller and had a virtual Rolodex of quips and one-liners (Dale Stanley’isms) ready at any moment to make you laugh. Dale was also very musically inclined. He played trombone and piano but was only willing to show you if he could play the song honky-tonk style.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Margaret.
Those left to celebrate his life include his beloved wife, Theda Beth of McCook, NE and their four children: Laura (Robert) Ritter of Selden, KS, Ellen (Tim) Meissner of McCook, NE, Jay (Tony Gaeta) of Omaha, NE, and Troy (Michelle) of Blair, NE. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life. His grandchildren are: Brandon, Kaylee, Kelsee, Devinn, Keenan, Morgan, Nolan, Noel, Adeline, Truman, and Willa; and his great-grandchildren are Gabe and Marlee.
A celebration of life will be held at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. Inurnment will follow services in the Wilsonville Cemetery at 4:00 P.M. Friday afternoon.
The family requests those attending please wear masks. Memorials may be left in Dale's name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel, which is entrusted with arrangements. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com.