Stanlee Lakner
February 1, 1929 ~ January 5, 2018
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Stanlee Lakner, 88, of Wessington, in the early morning hours of Friday, January 5, 2018, quietly slipped away to join his red haired, freckle faced girl for all eternity at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wessington with Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery, Wessington. Rosary service began at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m., prayer service, Monday, January 8, 2018, all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wessington.
Stanlee Joseph Lakner was born February 1, 1929 to John and Elizabeth (Wernsmann) Lakner on the family farm north of Wessington. He grew up there and attended Brown School through 8th grade. His high school years were spent at Wessington High School where he graduated in the spring of 1947. He was offered the opportunity to go to college but opted to do what he loved most, and that was to be a farmer. On June 21, 1949 he married his red haired girl, Mary Anne Lichty at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wessington.
They honeymooned in the Black Hills and returned to their home on the Lakner farm and farming with his Dad and brother. In 1957, he and Mary Anne made a decision to strike out on their own. With a big leap of faith and little money to spare, they purchased the “Sam McGirr” farm 3 1/2 miles north of Wessington. It proved to be a good decision and they went on to build a very successful farming operation.
Stanlee was a lifelong active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. All seven children attended Wessington schools. He and Mary Anne were loyal supporters of the school and all its activities.
After retiring from active farming, Stanlee and Mary Anne were blessed to enjoy many years of fishing and camping, as well as traveling to visit their children scattered all over the country.
Stanlee is survived by his seven children; Kathleen (Ron) Innes, Oro Valley, AZ; Linda (Tim) Englert, Wadsworth, OH; Jim Lakner, Wessington; Joan (Paul) Caskey, Madison, WI; Jeff (Myrna) Lakner, Wessington, Lisa Medrano, San Antonio, TX, and Christine (Bradley) Cordts, Germantown, TN; thirteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three sisters: Luane Lichty, Vivian Jones and Patricia Naber; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Anne; parents John and Elizabeth; and two brothers, Roger and Clayton.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to a charity of your choice.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Stanlee’s arrangements.
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So sad for your family. Good. Wes he is with his beloved Marianne again. Hugs to you all. Deanna Sanderson
Sorry to hear about Stanlee’s death. It was an honor to be part of the Pioneer people this year in our church. He was a swell man. Please accept our sympathy.
Sorry to here of your loss. Our Deepest Sympathy Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Just remembering the days when Stanley and Clayton were combining the harvest and on those hot days when Mary Anne and Wilma would bring out lunch and refreshers…Those were the days!!! My condolences to all the relatives. Pat.
My sincere sympathy to the family of Stanlee Lambert.🙏🙏
Sorry to hear about Stanlee passing. I visited with him last summer and had a nice conversation. His memory was slipping a little and so was mine so we got along very well. Stanlee worked hard and played hard. He will be missed.
We are sorry for your families lose our prayers are with you.
I had the best opportunity in the world and that was to care for Stanley and his wife Mary they were both amazing loving people and I will forever be grateful to have been a part of their life to Blair and the family love you guys 😘
Sorry to hear of your loved ones death-cherish your memories!.
Stanlee, You will be truly missed. A life long friendship and a true friend. May your soul Rest In Peace.
To Stanlee’s sisters and extended family: May the Holy Spirit comfort you after Stanlee’s death. He and Mary Ann raised a family and produced farm products that fed countless people in the United States and throughout the world. Great accomplishments! I remember the times when Stanlee and I played and worked together on our parents’ farms. We shared driving to and from Wessington High School.
It has been our honor and privilege to care for Stanlee . Thank you for allowing us to care and love on him. We hope you are finding peace and rest during this new transition. ~AseraCare Hospice Team
Sorry to hear of your loss Our Deepest Sympathy Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Sorry for you loss, i loved taking care of Stanley, he was my favorite, he had some great stories, and most of the time always had a smile on his face
So sorry for your loss. There are many wonderful memories from being neighbors on the farm. Betty Pevestorf and Doreen, Gail and Jean