Obit: Stanley, Allen Charles (1922 - 2010)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Stanley, Counsel, Pierce, Smith, Jacob, Chase, Krutsch 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) February 24, 2010 
 

Stanley, Allen Charles (27 May 1922 - 20 February 2010) 
 

Allen Charles Stanley, 87, of Marshfield, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital Palliative Care. 
 

Allen Stanley was born May 27, 1922, to Eva (Counsel) and Roy Stanley in Neillsville.  He attended Reed School for his primary education and graduated in 1939 from Neillsville High School.  During high school he played on the basketball team and was active in the young farmer’s organization. 
 

Allen’s close friendship with Ted Pierce led him to meet his wife of 54 years, Lorraine Pierce. They spent time together roller-skating, especially waltzing in each other’s arms on skates. They were married Sept. 3, 1955, in Iowa.  Lorraine preceded him in death by one year and one day, Feb. 19, 2009. 
 

Livestock of all kinds was Allen’s passion from his youth until the day he died.  Some of the many jobs in the farming industry Allen did were hauling canned milk, farming with his father and farming near Granton and raising cattle (dairy and beef). 
 

Allen and two partners built the Granton Livestock Sale Barn located on Highway 10 in Granton in 1962.  A hub of activity could be seen and heard every Tuesday at the local sale barn.  Countless numbers of cattle went through the doors of that sale barn, as it was a booming local business. Farmers came to town to conduct business or just to gab, play a hand or two of sheepshead and have lunch at the lunch counter operated by his wife, Lorraine. 
 

Allen established Stanley Enterprises, Inc., the cattle dealing business and auction service that picked up-delivered cattle and provided auction service for local farmers.  In 1974, his best friend and son, Bruce, became his partner in the business.  In 1977, Allen and Lorraine moved to a smaller farm north of Neillsville.  Allen and his son, Bruce, worked side by side until Allen and Lorraine were convinced to take life a bit easier and retire to "City life" in Marshfield. 
 

Bruce continues his talent in truck driving with employment with Veolia Environmental Services.  Allen and Lorraine’s daughter, Shirley, graduated from UW-Eau Claire, became a chemist for a prominent pharmaceutical company in Michigan and currently operates her own quickly growing consulting firm. 
 

Allen spent endless hours dealing with cattle farmers.  In addition to the cattle business, Allen spent the majority of time helping, supporting and encouraging local farmers.  He was the happiest when coaching a new farmer on hard quality and management.  He took pride in working with those farmers until they were ready to be on their own.  The local farming community’s success and the livelihood of the farming industry was his passion until the day he died.  
 

His family understood his passion, yet knew that they were the love of his life.  Allen, was, second only to Lorraine, a supportive fan of Bruce and Shirley’s school, sports and music events.  The time the family could count on enjoying all together would be at the Golden Sands Speedway watching auto racing.  Allen and Lorraine loved to go to the casino.  Allen enjoyed trying to "beat the machines" which he usually did, along with a fun meal out. 
 

Allen is lovingly survived by his son, Bruce (Ellen) Stanley, of Marshfield; daughter, Shirley (Bruce) Smith of Portage, MI; his sister, Ruth (Tom) Jacob of Wausau; and many nieces, nephews and friends.  He was a proud and fun loving grandfather and fan of his four grandchildren, Marisa, Daniel, Jacob and Zach Stanley. 
 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lorraine; an infant daughter; sisters, Mardene Chase and Jean (David) Krutsch; and three infant brothers. 
 

A memorial service will be held for Allen at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville.  Allen’s niece, Chaplain Joann Chase, will officiate.  Visitation will be held there from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, and again one hour prior to the service Saturday. 
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Clark County Humane Society, P. O. Box 127, Neillsville, WI 54456. 
 

On line condolences may be made at www.GescheFH.com.  
 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Allen’s family with funeral arrangements.