Obituary for W. Stanley "Stan" Lamb
On Tuesday, May 10th, 2022, W. Stanley Lamb, 72, passed away at his home in Watertown, SD, under the care of his family and Hospice, after a short battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
** PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION OF SERVICES: Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Watertown.
Burial will be at the Collins Cemetery, Willow Lake, SD.
In 1949, George Orwell’s, 1984, was published, NATO was formed, and on December 3rd, Willard Stanley (Stan) Lamb was born at the Memorial Hospital in Watertown, SD, to Willard and Wilma Lamb of Willow Lake, SD. The third of 5 children, and the only boy, Stanley was known as Willard’s favorite son.
Stan grew up on a farm a few miles north of Willow Lake, SD. Following the example set by his parents, Stan developed a strong work ethic, value of education, and sense of serving God and his fellow man that would follow him throughout his life.
Stanley’s value of education became apparent early on when he would teach his younger sister, Vivian, everything he learned in school after returning home each day. This allowed Vivian to already know how to read when she would start school the following year. Stan would finish his schooling at Willow Lake High School as a graduate of the Class of 1968. Enjoying a well rounded education, Stanley was involved in athletics, fine arts, and other extracurriculars such as the Future Farmers of America and Boys State. Athletically, Stan participated, and enjoyed success, playing football, basketball, and participating in track. Musically, Stan participated in band and choir. He was a member of a champion marching band and was chosen to sing in the South Dakota All-State Choir. Stan’s true passion was developed through the things he learned participating in the Future Farmers of America. The experience he gained through FFA and Boys State would serve him well in his later career.
Upon graduation, Stanley enrolled at South Dakota State University. After attending for one year, he stepped back to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Stanley served in the California Mission from 1969 to 1971 growing his faith and spirituality while sharing the gospel so others could do the same. Upon completion of his mission, Stan returned to SDSU where he was active in the ROTC and was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. In 1974, Stanley graduated from SDSU with a degree in Ag Business. Stan loved SDSU and was proud to be a Jackrabbit. A favorite pastime was educating his son, Nathan, and others of the superiority SDSU had over “The U.”. A tradition that has happily been passed down by his son to his grandchildren.
Upon graduation, Stanley was employed at Flandreau Motors in Flandreau, SD. Shortly thereafter, he bought himself a college graduation present…a shiny red, very powerful 1974 Dodge Charger. Most people familiar with Stan are also familiar with his Charger. Stan received many offers to buy this car over the years, quite often from strangers knocking on the door, but the car remained in his ownership throughout the rest of his life.
After leaving Flandreau, Stan spent time as a banker at banks in Vienna and Clark, SD, before getting back in the farming world in 1976. His time on the farm would become very eventful. On September 20, 1978, Stanley was married to Sheila (Burright) in the Salt Lake City Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, and his life would never be the same. Sheila left the big city of Sioux City, Iowa, and joined him on the farm. On February 8, 1980, Sheila gave birth to their favorite child, Nathan, and the fun began. Nathan was such a blessing that no more children were born and this family of three would go on to navigate the ups and downs of life together. Stan and Sheila spent countless hours, and money, following Nathan around to his athletic and musical activities all over the country. Nathan never played or performed without at least one of them in attendance. It was very rare that both parents were not there to support and cheer him on. Stan had a subtle way of encouraging Nathan when things got tough. When Nathan, then 12 years old, informed his Dad that he could not continue piano lessons due to a “lack of time”, Stan questioned if Nathan had time to continue playing sports as well. Nathan ended up playing sports all through high school as well as becoming the branch pianist until his high school graduation in 1998.
When teaching Nathan the importance of education, Stan would say, “I went to college to get an education because I didn’t think I could make enough money farming. After I finished college and started farming, I found out I was right.”. In 1983, Stan put that education to work and accepted a job with the USDA in Selby, SD, as the ASCS Country Executive Director for Walworth County. After a little over a year, Stan and his family relocated to Watertown, SD, where he continued in the same position for Codington County. Later on, the ASCS became the Farm Service Agency. All in all, Stan served in this position for roughly 34 years, including two years as president of the employee organization, SDASCOE. Stan developed many quality relationships with people through his work with the USDA and SDASCOE which he was truly grateful for and was very evident by the amount of people who reached out and reminisced during his final days on this earth.
Stan was a man of values and at the top was his faith, service to, and relationship with the Lord. Being a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Stan accepted and executed many callings within the church. In 1986, he was called to be the Branch President for the Watertown, SD, branch. Stan served in this position for over 11 years. During this time, Watertown was known throughout the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Stake for consistently having a 100% home teaching record which Stan was very proud of. Stan would bring his “moving partner”, Nathan, and helped numerous church members move whether they actively came to church or not. After being released as branch president, Stan served in other roles within the church helping many people along the way until being called as branch president again in 2010, serving in this role for over 6 more years. Stan devoted countless hours in the service of God. As branch president, Stan had the authority to perform Nathan’s marriage to his wife Kirby, on September 20, 2011, the 100th anniversary of Stan’s grandparents. Nathan became the 4th generation of Lamb men to be married on September 20th. In 2015, Stanley earned his favorite title of Grandpa when Nathan and his wife, Kirby, gave birth to a little girl, Maylee Rae, his favorite granddaughter. He adored Maylee and would say that she is destined for something special. The summer of 2017 brought the birth of his favorite grandson, Tayson Willard. Stan was very proud of Tayson and enjoyed watching him grow.
Unfortunately, Stanley did not get to accomplish his goal of seeing his grandchildren graduate high school. In December of 2021, Stan began to tire more quickly than before. After many tests, he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a form of blood cancer similar to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Stan spent his final days visiting with many family members and friends sharing his unique, dry sense of humor and reminiscing about a life well lived.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Sheila of Watertown; son, Nathan (Kirby) Lamb of White, SD; two grandchildren, Maylee and Tayson; and three sisters, Evelyn (Rick) Meyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Vivian (Richard) Ricks of Cedar Hills, UT, and Gayla (Mike) Salmon of Sioux Falls, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents Willard L. and Wilma Lamb, and sister Beverly (Myron) Schultz.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
** PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION OF SERVICES: Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Watertown.
Burial will be at the Collins Cemetery, Willow Lake, SD.
In 1949, George Orwell’s, 1984, was published, NATO was formed, and on December 3rd, Willard Stanley (Stan) Lamb was born at the Memorial Hospital in Watertown, SD, to Willard and Wilma Lamb of Willow Lake, SD. The third of 5 children, and the only boy, Stanley was known as Willard’s favorite son.
Stan grew up on a farm a few miles north of Willow Lake, SD. Following the example set by his parents, Stan developed a strong work ethic, value of education, and sense of serving God and his fellow man that would follow him throughout his life.
Stanley’s value of education became apparent early on when he would teach his younger sister, Vivian, everything he learned in school after returning home each day. This allowed Vivian to already know how to read when she would start school the following year. Stan would finish his schooling at Willow Lake High School as a graduate of the Class of 1968. Enjoying a well rounded education, Stanley was involved in athletics, fine arts, and other extracurriculars such as the Future Farmers of America and Boys State. Athletically, Stan participated, and enjoyed success, playing football, basketball, and participating in track. Musically, Stan participated in band and choir. He was a member of a champion marching band and was chosen to sing in the South Dakota All-State Choir. Stan’s true passion was developed through the things he learned participating in the Future Farmers of America. The experience he gained through FFA and Boys State would serve him well in his later career.
Upon graduation, Stanley enrolled at South Dakota State University. After attending for one year, he stepped back to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Stanley served in the California Mission from 1969 to 1971 growing his faith and spirituality while sharing the gospel so others could do the same. Upon completion of his mission, Stan returned to SDSU where he was active in the ROTC and was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. In 1974, Stanley graduated from SDSU with a degree in Ag Business. Stan loved SDSU and was proud to be a Jackrabbit. A favorite pastime was educating his son, Nathan, and others of the superiority SDSU had over “The U.”. A tradition that has happily been passed down by his son to his grandchildren.
Upon graduation, Stanley was employed at Flandreau Motors in Flandreau, SD. Shortly thereafter, he bought himself a college graduation present…a shiny red, very powerful 1974 Dodge Charger. Most people familiar with Stan are also familiar with his Charger. Stan received many offers to buy this car over the years, quite often from strangers knocking on the door, but the car remained in his ownership throughout the rest of his life.
After leaving Flandreau, Stan spent time as a banker at banks in Vienna and Clark, SD, before getting back in the farming world in 1976. His time on the farm would become very eventful. On September 20, 1978, Stanley was married to Sheila (Burright) in the Salt Lake City Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, and his life would never be the same. Sheila left the big city of Sioux City, Iowa, and joined him on the farm. On February 8, 1980, Sheila gave birth to their favorite child, Nathan, and the fun began. Nathan was such a blessing that no more children were born and this family of three would go on to navigate the ups and downs of life together. Stan and Sheila spent countless hours, and money, following Nathan around to his athletic and musical activities all over the country. Nathan never played or performed without at least one of them in attendance. It was very rare that both parents were not there to support and cheer him on. Stan had a subtle way of encouraging Nathan when things got tough. When Nathan, then 12 years old, informed his Dad that he could not continue piano lessons due to a “lack of time”, Stan questioned if Nathan had time to continue playing sports as well. Nathan ended up playing sports all through high school as well as becoming the branch pianist until his high school graduation in 1998.
When teaching Nathan the importance of education, Stan would say, “I went to college to get an education because I didn’t think I could make enough money farming. After I finished college and started farming, I found out I was right.”. In 1983, Stan put that education to work and accepted a job with the USDA in Selby, SD, as the ASCS Country Executive Director for Walworth County. After a little over a year, Stan and his family relocated to Watertown, SD, where he continued in the same position for Codington County. Later on, the ASCS became the Farm Service Agency. All in all, Stan served in this position for roughly 34 years, including two years as president of the employee organization, SDASCOE. Stan developed many quality relationships with people through his work with the USDA and SDASCOE which he was truly grateful for and was very evident by the amount of people who reached out and reminisced during his final days on this earth.
Stan was a man of values and at the top was his faith, service to, and relationship with the Lord. Being a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Stan accepted and executed many callings within the church. In 1986, he was called to be the Branch President for the Watertown, SD, branch. Stan served in this position for over 11 years. During this time, Watertown was known throughout the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Stake for consistently having a 100% home teaching record which Stan was very proud of. Stan would bring his “moving partner”, Nathan, and helped numerous church members move whether they actively came to church or not. After being released as branch president, Stan served in other roles within the church helping many people along the way until being called as branch president again in 2010, serving in this role for over 6 more years. Stan devoted countless hours in the service of God. As branch president, Stan had the authority to perform Nathan’s marriage to his wife Kirby, on September 20, 2011, the 100th anniversary of Stan’s grandparents. Nathan became the 4th generation of Lamb men to be married on September 20th. In 2015, Stanley earned his favorite title of Grandpa when Nathan and his wife, Kirby, gave birth to a little girl, Maylee Rae, his favorite granddaughter. He adored Maylee and would say that she is destined for something special. The summer of 2017 brought the birth of his favorite grandson, Tayson Willard. Stan was very proud of Tayson and enjoyed watching him grow.
Unfortunately, Stanley did not get to accomplish his goal of seeing his grandchildren graduate high school. In December of 2021, Stan began to tire more quickly than before. After many tests, he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a form of blood cancer similar to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Stan spent his final days visiting with many family members and friends sharing his unique, dry sense of humor and reminiscing about a life well lived.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Sheila of Watertown; son, Nathan (Kirby) Lamb of White, SD; two grandchildren, Maylee and Tayson; and three sisters, Evelyn (Rick) Meyer of Sioux Falls, SD, Vivian (Richard) Ricks of Cedar Hills, UT, and Gayla (Mike) Salmon of Sioux Falls, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents Willard L. and Wilma Lamb, and sister Beverly (Myron) Schultz.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com.