Laurence Stansbarger, 80, Albert Lea

Published 9:52 am Thursday, March 10, 2011

Laurence E. Stansbarger, 80, of Albert Lea, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday United Lutheran Church in Walters. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. The Rev. Donald Rose will officiate and burial will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery, Iowa, on Monday at 3 p.m. Military honors accorded by the Kiester American Legion Post No. 454 and the Wells Color Guard.

Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family with arrangements.

Laurence was born Oct. 1, 1930, in Whiting, Kan., the son of Harold and Fern (Stuart) Stansbarger. Laurence grew up in the area attending Whiting High School, where he lettered in basketball. He was very proud of that feat. Laurence was visiting his father in Iowa, where he met the love of his life, Lela L. Bailey, and they married in Princeton, Iowa, on Feb. 3, 1950. Laurence and Lela were married for 52 years until Lela’s passing in 2003. Blessed to this union were a son, Richard, KIA in Vietnam, and a daughter, Paty.

Laurence drove truck for the coal company in Clinton, Iowa, until his entry into the Army to serve during the Korean conflict. After his discharge, he joined his wife and children in Kansas where he worked at the Kansas City Stock Yards. Due to illness, the family relocated back to Clinton, Iowa. Laurence worked for the Swift Eckrich Poultry Plant in Clinton until their closure. He then transferred to the sister company in Wells. He worked for Swift Eckrich for 44 years. He lived to work. He retired only because the plant closed – this did not make him happy at all. Laurence bowled on four bowling leagues until his illness. He then had to cut it down to two leagues a week. He won the City Bowling Tournament a few years back – even with a cast on his arm up to his shoulder. He loved to travel and visit family and friends. He never called them to let them know he was coming, he just showed up. Laurence loved to play cards and put puzzles together. He also had a very special knack for making homemade soups and stews. Laurence was a life member of the VFW Post No. 1778 of Wells and the Kiester American Legion. Laurence’s special smile, showing his dimples, his kind words and his love to visit will be sorely missed by his family, friends and his very special buddy “Hershey.”

Laurence is survived by his daughter, Paty (Bruce) Thrond, of Emmons; grandchildren: Laurie (Ted) Herman of Albert Lea, Rick Broderick of Albert Lea, Trisha (Shane) Edwards of Virginia Beach, Va.; great-grandchildren: Zachary Herman of Mankato, Jessica Herman of Minneapolis, McKenzie and Briana Edwards of Virginia Beach, Va., Nathaniel Stahl of Austin and Caz Nowak of Minnesota Lake; brothers: John (Barb) Stansbarger of Michigan, Frank Stansbarger of Kansas City, Kan., Harold (Chris) Stansbarger of Camanche, Iowa, and Chuck Stansbarger of Kansas City, Kan.; sisters: Lilly Huffman of Dallas, Texas, and Mary (Bill) Miller of St. Joseph, Mo.; special friends: Martin and Mattie Obermeyer of Wells, Bob and Marsha Grow and Albert McCornnack of Albert Lea; and many nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Iva Jean and Frances; his wife, Lela; his son, Richard; and his grandson, Edward C. Broderick, Jr.