He grew up on the family farm at 84th and Hwy 2. After graduating from Walton High School, he joined the Air Force, and in 1952, he married Shirley Joan Harris. They were blessed with two children, Suzanne Johnson of Lincoln and Jeffrey Hatcher of Kingston, WA.
Stanley worked for the Nebraska Air Guard for 12 years, then did commercial fertilizing for area farmers and began moving houses for his father-in-law. While still farming for his folks, he took over Harris House Moving and ran the family business for many years. After that, he worked for Heavy Company here in Lincoln. Then, in 1999, Stan and Shirley “retired” to Branson, MO, where they enjoyed renting out their condos. Stan also had fun working at a few of the theaters and drove a shuttle for the Ramada Hotel. In 2014, they moved back to Lincoln, where he took on the role of caregiver for Shirley until Parkinson’s disease left him a widower.
In his later years, Stanley met Noma Cratsenberg, and they enjoyed one another’s friendship and company. Up until the day of his death, Stanley enjoyed living independently, cooking his own meals, driving his car, and even picking up Jeff and Jody at the Omaha airport. He kept a full and active weekly schedule. Sundays included church and evening Facebook chats with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mondays were his flexible days, left open for whatever came up—or simply for enjoying a free day. Tuesdays were Taco Tuesdays. Wednesdays included bingo, grief support group, “Wine Down Wednesdays,” and social hour in the dining room at Van Dorn Villa. Thursdays were “workdays” volunteering at Foodnet, and Fridays often included breakfast at Highway Diner with his hot rod car friends. Saturdays were reserved for family time, especially activities with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Stanley enjoyed watching Husker volleyball and Northeast volleyball with Noma. He stayed very active, social, and involved right up until the very end, always finding something fun to look forward to.
He also attended monthly meetings with retired Air Force members and was the self-appointed organizer of the Lincoln-area square dancers who met bimonthly. He enjoyed square dancing in Lincoln for many years and took great pleasure in bringing people together.
Stanley was a faithful member of Southern Heights Presbyterian Church for over 75 years and belonged to American Legion Post 280 in Bennet.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Helen Hatcher; nephew, Jerry Hatcher; and grandchildren, Kial and Stephanie Johnson.
He is survived by his children, Suzanne Johnson and Jeffrey (Jody) Hatcher; six grandchildren, Amy (Ben) Taylor, Benjamin Hatcher, Ethan (Christina) Hatcher, Aaron Hatcher, Evan (Alyssa) Hatcher, and Andrew (Alexa) Hatcher; eight great-grandchildren, Mason and Hudson Taylor, Joseph Zambalis, Logan, Ella and Julia Hatcher, Helena Hatcher, and Hannah Hatcher; and his special friend, Noma Cratsenberg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Southern Heights Presbyterian Church (5750 S 40th St, Lincoln, NE 68516) or Shriners Children’s Hospital at donate.shrinerschildrens.org