John Carl Stanz

John Carl Stanz passed away on Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, at Bethany on the Lake at the age of 72. A visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, at Anderson Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026, at First Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at 1:15 PM later that day at Kinkead Cemetery.

Please honor John at his visitation and service by wearing your favorite Minnesota sports team apparel (Vikings, Twins, Wild) or any Beatles, oldies band, or racing t-shirts.

Any memorials given to the family will be donated to the Michael J Fox Foundation and The Parkinson's Foundation.

John was born to Carl and Florence Stanz in Alexandria, MN on April 18th, 1953. He graduated from Jefferson Senior High School in 1971 and went on to work at Alexandria Boatworks and then Alexandria Street Department until he retired. While at the street department, he was the head of maintaining street signs. A career highlight and something he took great pride in, was testing and preparing all of the Christmas lights for the annual lighting ceremony - especially Rudolph. He also enjoyed his part time work at Walmart. You could see his smiling face and stop for a chat as he pushed carts. John worked hard his entire career, tirelessly supporting his family.

John was blessed to have two great loves of his life. He married Leslie (Krueger) in 1976. From that marriage came his two beautiful daughters, Christa and Maggie. He married Tammy Olson in 2016. They had nearly 10 glorious years together, spending their time in both Alexandria and Apache Junction, AZ. While in Arizona, John and Tammy enjoyed potlucks and holiday gatherings with their friends and neighbors. He especially loved Friday night happy hour with his Pueblo Manor Community at the pool. If you met John, you immediately liked him and could call him a friend. John and Tammy took in many sporting and music activities during their time in Arizona. John loved to take his daily laps in his golfcart, visiting friends and enjoying the warm sunshine.

John was FUN LOVING. We will miss his wit and humor. John’s zest for life was contagious. He loved a celebration, especially if it involved cake. We called him our “nibbler.” He had an appetite for all snacks, salty and sweet. John dove headfirst into everything that interested him. In his younger years he loved his motorcycles, his cars, and playing for the local softball league. He was a life long fan of dirt track racing, the MN Twins, Wild and Vikings. He was an avid collector of sports and racing memorabilia. Throughout his life he immersed himself in activities with family and friends. John was playful. He loved bike rides, ice skating, annual family hockey games on the pond, dips at the pool or lake, numerous games of water volleyball at the cabin on Little Darling, topped off with a cold slice of fresh watermelon. “Sunshine on his shoulders” with those he loved, made Dad the happiest - even as Parkinson's was taking over his earthly body.

As the Parkinson’s progressed, John needed 24 hour care. He resided at Pelican Bay at Bethany on the Lake for the last 9 months of his life. While John was living there, he had wonderful care by the staff. He made friends, he enjoyed taking in activities, he played numerous card games with staff, volunteers and residents and could be found dancing with them until the very end. We will be forever grateful to Elder Network and Companion Care for their support and devotion to John’s weekly visits. He always looked forward to company and outings.

Throughout John’s life, nothing made him happier than listening to his beloved Beatles. Dad embodied music. Listening to his records brought him joy until his last day. It brings us great peace to imagine him singing in Heaven. Too soon for our liking, our beloved John is in the presence of the greatest music there is.

John was preceded in death by parents, Carl and Florence. He is survived by his wife, Tammy; children, Christa (Joe) Udelhofen and Maggie (Brian) Hubbling; grandchildren, Isaac, Will, Ben and Josie; brother, Gary (Vicki) and sisters, Connie Inman and Becky (Steve) Trainor; nieces, nephews and cousins.