Stanley W. Metelmann

Stanley Wayne Metelmann greeted The Lord from his home in Mesa on February 18, 2014, at the age of 88. His devoted wife and children, along with a caring hospice team, were at his side to support him on his heavenly journey.
Stanley was born on December 17, 1925, to Robert Metelmann and Ellen Hardy Metelmann. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Walhalla helping his father farm. After graduating from Walhalla High School he attended the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo. On June 25, 1950, he was united in marriage to Olina Anderson in Cavalier, North Dakota. They were blessed with three children - Thomas Kevin, Catherine Ann, and James Kent.
Stanley's passions were family, farming, and flying. Always a farmer, he raised potatoes, wheat, and beans, with an occasional field of mustard, flax, or lentils. He enjoyed experimenting with new crops and even tried onions and triticale. He was a brilliant thinker and creative fixer. If he could imagine it, he could build it or improve it, and he was always restoring equipment others had given up on.
Over the years he also operated several agricultural related businesses including the Walhalla International Harvester dealership, a potato washing and packing plant, a fertilizer and chemical business, and most recently, Metelmann Farm Service, in partnership with son Jim.
Stan was very community minded, serving on the Walhalla School Board and the Walhalla City Council. He was a Walhalla Presbyterian Elder and a member of the Walhalla Masons and Lions. Stan's favorite hobby was flying. He traded airplanes almost as often as pickups and owned many different makes and models - the Bonanza was his favorite. He enjoyed the outdoors and had one of the first snowmobiles in the area, a steel track rear engine Polaris that he enjoyed riding with his kids.
His personality included a great sense of humor. He liked to kid his friends and he enjoyed their company. He was often instrumental in organizing fun events for family and friends; the community garden is just one example. Stan had a special spot in his heart for Walhalla. He loved the land, the people and the beautiful Pembina Hills. As a matter of fact, last summer he was spotted driving his van on rugged trails in the hills with three other passengers all over the age of 80.
Survivors include his wife, Olina; children: Thomas (Roxanne) Metelmann, Catherine (Peter) Silbernagel, James (Stacie) Metelmann; six grandchildren: Ashley Metelmann Crosby, Peter Joshua (Rachel) Silbernagel, Jessica Metelmann Brunner (Ryan), Amanda Silbernagel, Brittaney Metelmann, and Christopher Silbernagel; two great grandchildren: Asher Crosby and Brayden Brunner; sister, Roberta (Peter) Verville.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert and Ellen and brother, Howard.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 28, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at the Walhalla Lutheran Church, Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held Thursday, February 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the church. Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery, Walhalla. Online guestbook at www.askewfuneralhome.com