Stanley Wancura

Stanley Wancura was born September 16, 1940, to Willie and Clara Wancura in Atwood, Kansas. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 8, 2021, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, at the age of 81.

In his younger years, he lived on the family farm near Ludell where he worked hard helping his dad with daily farm tasks. He graduated from Atwood High School in 1958 and shortly after, proposed to the love of his life at the Atwood Dime Store. Stan and Verda Headrick married at the Federated Church in McDonald on December 28,1958.

Stanley worked at the Ludell elevator, Rawlins County Road & Bridge, Tubbs and Bush Ford in Atwood and later Tubbs and Sons Ford in Colby, Unruh Auto, and UPS (one of the first drivers hired in the state of Kansas), until he and Verda opened their NAPA store in 1976. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Colby and belonged to the Colby Chamber of Commerce.

Over the years, they enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, Canada, California, and Alaska. Along with traveling for family events, they loved trout fishing, hunting, and camping together. For their 50th anniversary, Stan and Verda enjoyed an Alaskan cruise with their four children. Stan and Verda enjoyed 63 years of marriage together.

They were blessed with four children, Deanna Krannawitter, Debbie Moos (companion Todd Miller), Tim (fiance Angie Johnson) Wancura and Dana (David) Batt; nine grandchildren, Sarah, Jessica, Aimee, Amanda, JC, Jonathan, Austin, Anna, and Paul David; sixteen precious great-grandchildren, and two precious great-great-grandchildren. Other survivors include sisters, Gertie (Ted) Kastens, Charlene (Jack) Shelton, and Cindy (Kevan) Trenkle, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Stan was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Dorothy Headrick; son-in-law Mark Krannawitter; sister-in-law Valyne Dirks, and great-granddaughter Tesla McLaughlin.

Stan proved every day that working hard included sacrifice and throughout the years showed those around him the quality of having a strong work ethic. Stan worked the hardest at the end of his life by making the ultimate choice to join those who passed before him to walk alongside Jesus in the gardens of Heaven.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm Friday, November 12, 2021, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 13 at the mortuary with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. Per Stanley’s request please wear overalls or casual dress. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family, to be designated later, and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com