Elmer Stahl

Elmer Stahl

Elmer Stahl
February 6, 1935 – November 2, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa (Ralston, NE) | Age 88
Served with Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

Elmer Stahl, 88, of Oskaloosa (formerly of Ralston, NE), went to be with the Lord on November 2, 2023. He was born on February 6, 1935, in Huron, SD, to Jacob P. and Susann (Hofer) Stahl.

Elmer had seven older siblings and a younger sister, and he grew up in an athletic-loving family.

Elmer was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1957 after serving at Fort Monmouth, NJ, and oversees in Okinawa, Japan.

Elmer was united in marriage to Joy Ann Shanahan on October 17, 1959, in Huron, SD.

Elmer held a variety of jobs throughout his life, but his most impactful and long-lasting ones were “husband,” “dad,” “grandpa,” and “great grandpa.” Whether immediate family, extended family, his friends or his children’s friends, all mention his kindness, love, humor, and unconditional support. With him in your corner, you felt you really could accomplish your goals.

In 1981, he and Joy moved to Omaha, NE, where Elmer worked for his brother Jake’s company, BC Dressed Beef. He became a proud Husker fan (fanatic) in Omaha, and faithfully attended football games. In a move that surprised the entire family, Elmer convinced Joy that the Husker Women’s Volleyball Team was worth following. A highlight of their life in Omaha was attending the 2006 National Volleyball Championship match where Nebraska was victorious. Elmer retired as a security consultant for Beef America in Omaha.

In 2015, he and Joy moved to Oskaloosa to live with their daughter, Cathy. They enjoyed aquatics exercising at the Mahaska County YMCA, and Elmer became a Smokey Row Coffee House regular. They also enjoyed attending the City Band Concerts on the Square. A political junkie, Elmer loved living in Iowa and attending presidential candidate campaign stops.

After 59 years of marriage, Joy passed away in 2018, leaving a hole in the hearts of the entire family.

Elmer’s family includes his children: Joan Fletcher, who moved to Oskaloosa to help care for him after retiring in Rapid City, SD, Daniel (& Roxanne) Stahl of Hopkinsville, KY, and Cathy Stahl of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Jared (& Erin) Fletcher, Brandy (& Brent) Aukerman and Katie (& Devin) Rhodes, all of Rapid City, Devan Joy (& Chris Wright) Stahl of Waco, TX, and Darian Goldin (& Julien Pestiaux) Stahl of Kelowna, Canada. Elmer was also extremely proud to have nine great grandchildren: Jae Fletcher, Guy, Kara and Cameron Fletcher, and Rowen and Russell Rhodes, all of Rapid City, Theo and Miles Stahl-Wright of Waco; and Elodie Stahl-Pestiaux of Kelowna; and Elmer’s sister, Darlene (& Wilmer) Buller, of Mountain Lake, MN.

Elmer was preceded in death by his brothers: Joe (& Marj), Jake (& Earla Jean), Paul (& Betty), and John Stahl; his sisters Ann Stahl, Katie Stahl, and Mary (& Don) Retke, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Per Elmer’s wishes, there will be no visitation and no funeral services.
A private celebration of life will be held with family at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the Mahaska County YMCA to benefit the Aquatics Exercise Program or to the Oskaloosa City Band.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Elmer Stahl please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.