He graduated in 1969 from Louisville High School and studied for three years at the University of Nebraska, where he met Nancy Ann Amundsen from Morrill, Nebraska.
They were married on May 27, 1973, at the Morrill United Methodist Church. They lived in Lincoln, Morrill, Wilber and Waverly. Following Nancy’s passing, John moved to Lincoln, where he lived at The Lexington Assisted Living Center and then Hillcrest Firethorn Long-term Care.
After marrying Nancy, John worked for Roberts Dairy in Lincoln and then was a funeral director’s assistant for 25 years at Jones Mortuary in Mitchell and Jolliffe Mortuary in Scottsbluff.
John was a member of the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Morrill where he served on the Parish Council as president and in other roles. He also was a member of the Morrill Young Men’s Association; served as vice president of the Mitchell Area Foundation; and was president of the Mitchell Kiwanis Club. He was also president of the Forest Lawn and Caldwell Cemetery Board, Mitchell City Cemetery Board, and a Scoutmaster of Troop 97 in Morrill. When he moved to The Lexington in Lincoln, he served the community as president of The Lexington Residents’ Council.
John enjoyed collecting Nebraska-dairy-related milk bottles and memorabilia and writing books about collecting milk bottles. He also wrote short stories about his 25 years working in the mortuary and cemetery business. He wrote about his wife Nancy’s struggles with Alzheimer’s, too, sharing with and supporting others who were caregivers for loved ones with dementia.
John immensely loved his family, friends, faith and actively participating in the communities where he worked and lived. He made friends everywhere he went and enthusiastically enjoyed supporting and talking about the activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His gardening skills were only matched by his love of the Huskers, as his wife and all four of their children are University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni.
Family members include his sons Michael (Emily) Stander, Lincoln, and Jeffrey (Michelle) Stander, Cortland; daughters Jaclynn (Justus) Foged, Waverly, and Suzanne (Cole) Brodine, Elm Creek; grandchildren Quinton Stander, Natalie and Kinsley Stander, Allyson and Joslyn Foged, Ava and Nora Brodine, Cody (Kaytlin) Mulbery, Baylee (Lucas) Smejdir, and Ithy (Derek) Filipi; great-grandchildren Merritt Mulbery, Aletta and Brooks Smejdir, and Joseph and Jasper Filipi.
Survivors also include sisters Mary K Stander, Papillion; and Kathy (Dan) Jordan, Louisville; and brothers Dan (Pam) Stander, Omaha; Harold Stander Jr. (Kathleen), Shawnee, Kansas; and Martin (Mary Ann) Stander, Greencastle, Pennsylvania; and special friend, Cyndee Schuettler.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Nancy.
Rosary will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, followed by a Memorial Mass at 1:30 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1625 Adams St., Ashland, NE. A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill, NE.
Memorials to Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Churches (Ashland and Greenwood), or St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Morrill, NE, or family’s choice.