Stanley "Stan" G. Szymanski passed away surrounded by the love of his family on July 1, 2026. He was born on May 23, 1943, to the late Stanley A. and Elizabeth (Knetter) Szymanski.
Stan married Angela Burger in 1964, and together they built a life on the family farm, raising their children while tending the fields and caring for the animals. Angela preceded him in death in 2014. In 2015, Stan found love again and married Sharon Malueg. Together, they shared many happy years traveling and enjoying their love of polka dancing.
Stan was a retired dairy farmer whose passion for farming never faded. He loved caring for the dairy herd and especially enjoyed spending time out on the tractor. Farming was more than his livelihood—it was his way of life.
Away from the farm, Stan embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved polka dancing, traveling worldwide, writing poetry, and playing cards, especially a good game of sheephead. He also enjoyed watching sports on television and was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan.
Stan never met a stranger. He was a social man who loved striking up conversations with anyone and everyone. His children fondly remember many occasions when they had to wait patiently in the car because Dad had stopped to chat with someone he knew—or had just met. His warm personality and genuine interest in others left lasting impressions on countless people.
Dedicated to both agriculture and his community, Stan was actively involved in many organizations throughout his life. Among them were the Gladiola Society, Holstein Association, Wisconsin Rural Leadership, Wausau Jaycees, Master Farmers, and the Agriculture Society, to name just a few. His commitment to serving others reflected the same work ethic and dedication he brought to his family and his farm.
Above all else, Stan was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He was a hardworking family man whose love, generosity, and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon; his children, Sheila (Ted Rude) Szymanski, Jeff (Anna) Szymanski, Christopher (Ana) Szymanski, Gail (Danny) Wilde, and Tracy (Rod) Kaiser; his stepchildren, Craig Stern, Shelly (Cory) Martin, and Ross (Dannette) Stern; 22 grandchildren: Tom (Shauna) Szymanski, Amanda (Jesse) Fischer, Nicole (Joe) Westberg, Tyler (Alexis) Szymanski, Isaiah Genrich, Xavier Genrich, Nicholas Szymanski, Johnathon Szymanski, Lilyan Szymanski, Violet Szymanski, Johnathan Rodriguez, Clarissa Rodriguez, Deanna Cotty, Erika Wilde, Carmen Wilde, Shelby Wilde, Kaitlyn Kaiser, Marissa Kaiser, Alex Kaiser, Seth Martin, Ashley Martin, and Madison Stern; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He is further survived by his siblings, Jacki (Terry) Pyan and Ted Szymanski; his brothers-in-law, Kenneth Lepak, Paul (Sandy) Burger, Steve (Jane) Burger, Joe Burger, and Peter Burger; his sisters-in-law, Linda Szymanski, Carolyn Martino, Emily Noll, Pauline (Alan) Babler, Elaine Schlender and Pam Oswald; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Sandra Lepak, and Patricia (Joe) Oswald; brother Terry Szymanski; brother-in-law, George Burger; and sisters-in-law, Margie Nagdeman and Barbara Olander.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 222761 County Road S, Marathon City, WI 54448. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family. Family and friends may visit www.honorone.com to share online condolences and words of remembrance.
