Stan Essley

Funeral services for Stan Essley, age 68, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue, in Norfolk. John Petersen will officiate.

Military honors will be provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1644, American Legion Post 16, United States Navy Honor Guard, and American Legion Riders.

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the chapel.

Stan died Sunday, August 4, 2024, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Stanley Allen Essley, son of G.D. and Gracie (Smith) Essley was born on July 23, 1956, in Valentine, NE and moved to Norfolk when he was nine years old. He attended Norfolk Public Schools and worked at the sale barn. After high school, Stan enlisted in the US Navy and was on the USS Midway. Although he was stationed in many areas all around the world, his favorite spot was the Philippines. After returning from the service, Stan worked at Vulcraft and Nucor Cold Finish faithfully for 40 years.

Stan married the love of his life, Jean Mather, on September 15, 1984, in Norfolk, NE. They had three beautiful children, Luke, Morgan, and Kenzie.

Stan was full of life and loved spending time with family and friends. He loved dancing, playing cards all day and night, watching Nebraska football and his summers were spent at the lake. Medelman’s was his second home where he enjoyed boating, waterskiing, playing washers, and (of course) his Bud Light bottles.

One of his favorite things in the world was bikes, specifically Harley’s. He loved going on poker runs as well as Sturgis with his friends and eventually his son, Luke. As he got older, Stan became a big Nebraska volleyball fan and he loved watching and attending games with his daughter, Kenzie and his wife, Jean. As an avid outdoorsman, he also enjoyed hunting with his father and his son. Stan always had dreams of sailing around the world and living on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean. Within the last couple of years, he gained the title of ‘grandpa’ and enjoyed any time spent with his grandchildren that he loved so much. They really brought out a special smile in him.

Stan completed his journey here on earth on August 4, 2024, at UNMC at the age of 68 surrounded by his family and their love.

Survivors include his wife, Jean; his children, Luke, Morgan (Dayton) Williams, and Kenzie (Derek) Thieman; grandchildren, Jaydon and Olivia Williams; and his mother, Gracie.

Stan was preceded in death by his father, G.D. and brother, David.

 

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