Stanley A. Kirkeeng

Stanley A. Kirkeeng passed away on December 11,  2017. He was 87 years old and resided in West Salem last part of his life. Stanley was born on May 5, 1930 in La Crosse Wisconsin to Edwin & Ellen Kirkeeng. He was baptized on June 8, 1930 at the Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church. Stanley grew up attending this church along with his siblings.  He was a long time member of the Fish Creek Ridge church however he was a member of several other Lutheran churches depending on where he lived. Stanley faithfully attended church weekly along with his family and served in several areas. He was also actively involved in Sons of Norway for years. Stanley did many Lutefisk Suppers.  Also, he was a member of the VFW. Stanley served in the Korean War In Navy Subs from 1950-1954.

Stanley married Diana K. Brownell on May 20, 1959 in Sparta Wisconsin. They had two children, Jackie (Kirkeeng) Everson and Pennie Kirkeeng-Smith. They resided in Dutch Creek & farmed until moving to California in 1971. In Fresno California Stanley found a job with the Santa Fe railroad. His job was a lineman which took him throughout California and Arizona yet he came home each weekend to be with his family. Stanley's job required walking many miles each day and the railroad provided him two pair of shoes annually which he wore out faithfully. Stanley was a hard-working man and missed only 1 day of work when working for Santa Fe Railroad to attend a co-worker’s funeral. Stanley’s sense of humor entertained both his family and friends as he shared jokes and fond memories of the past often. Upon retirement Stanley & Diana traveled often back to Wisconsin, along the way they enjoyed many sights in the United States. In their travels only missed 5 states.

Stanley was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and could speak the language too.  Stanley taught his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren the art of lefse making and other Norwegian baked goods.

Stanley's life motto was that the Lord has been with me all my life and has helped me through good times and bad.

Stanley is survived by his wife, Diana and his two children Jackie (Scott) Everson of Bangor;  and Pennie Kirkeeng-Smith  of Fresno, Ca. He also has seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.   His remaining siblings are Mildred Jenkins in NC, Loren (Betty) Kirkeeng in AZ and Eldon (Bea) Kirkeeng in Texas. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, LeMonte Kirkeeng , sister Aileen Williams.

A celebration of Stanley’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, at Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church, rural Rockland, with Reverend Gary Daines officiating and Reverend Paul Messmer concelebrating. Burial with full military honors will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered to the Kirkeeng family at www.schanhoferfh.com

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Fish Creek Ridge Lutheran Church.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire staff of Salem Terrace Assisted Living in West Salem, the Gundersen Hospice Team, and to extended family and friends for the outstanding care and support given to Stanley.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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