Stanley W. Maakestad, 91, of Woonsocket, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.
Funeral services were Saturday, May 27, at the Spirit of Faith Church in Woonsocket, with Rev. Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell officiating. Burial was in Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket, with military rites by American Legion Post 29, Woonsocket. Visitation at the Basham Funeral Home in Woonsocket was Friday, May 26, from 5-7 p.m., and one hour prior to the service at the Church on Saturday.
Stanley was born Jan. 29, 1926, to Helmer and Edith (Slack) Maakestad. He grew up in Mitchell with four siblings and attended Mitchell High School.
Following high school, Stanley worked various jobs. During this time, he met his future wife, Lila Merkle, and they were married on March 31, 1943. He then served in the Army, arriving on Christmas Eve 1944 in Italy, and was in combat at the Battle of Po Valley.
Returning home to a son and a newborn daughter and with no jobs available, Stan unloaded a train car of coal with a wheelbarrow, working 12 hours for ten dollars, once again on Christmas Eve in 1946. In 1948, he went to work for the Rural Electric Association and retired after 37 years.
Stanley is survived by his five children: Larry (Maria) Maakestad of Ft. Collins, Colo., Lynne (Roger) Syring of Overland Park, Kan., Bruce (Luci) Maakestad of Mankato, Minn., Patti (Jim) Larson of Woonsocket, and Lori (Steven) Johnson of Elk Point; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Jean Muck; two sisters-in-law, Joan and Arlene Merkle; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lila; two sisters; one brother; his parents; Lila’s parents; seven brothers-in-law; and three sisters-in-law.