Stanley Fontaine

  Stanley D. “Stan” Fontaine, 91, Grand Forks, died Saturday, November 4, 2017 in Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center surrounded by family, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Stanley Dominick Fontaine, was born July 27, 1926, at Whitman, North Dakota, the sixth of sixteen children of Isadore and Frieda (Kelley) Fontaine. He attended school through 8th grade at Whitman. From there it was Stanley’s desire to graduate from High School so he moved alone at the age of 14 to Michigan, North Dakota.  There he lived in the basement of the local bank and shoveled coal in exchange for a place to stay, at times going months without seeing his family.  That strength enabled Stanley to get his High School diploma.  Following graduation Stanley moved to Grand Forks and attended Business School.  After completing Business School Stanley worked several jobs at once including both JC. Penny and Bridgeman Creamery.  Stanley married Margaret Gahagan at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks on June 8, 1952.  This marriage came along with a bonus for Stanley.  Margaret’s father had died many years before and her Mother, Isabelle Gahagen came as part of the package for the next 45 years.  Inviting Isabelle into their home was a decision Stanley never regretted.  Stanley entered the US. Army in 1954, serving stateside during the Korean War.  During his military service Stan and Marge made many lifelong friends.  Being a Veteran was very important to Stanley.  He wore his dog tags until the time of his death.  Upon his discharge from military service, they returned to Grand Forks, moving, along with Isabelle, into their forever home.  It was there that they welcomed daughters, Barbara and Nancy into their family.  Stanley and Margaret loved to dance.  They frequented the Grand Forks Elks and VFW. Clubs many Saturday nights showing off their dance moves until the clubs closed for the night. Yet they never missed church on a Sunday morning.  Stanley got the opportunity for one last dance when his Granddaughter Crystal was  wed.  There he was danced around the floor in his wheelchair by three generations of his girls.  A dance that will never be forgotten. Stanley was employed by Pioneer Mutual Life insurance company for many years.  It was a job that allowed him to meet and help many people.  There was rarely a place Stan would go that he didn’t know someone he considered a friend.  Stanley retired at the age of 62, his most important job was about to begin, Being Grandpa.  Stanley chose to babysit his Granddaughters full time while their parents worked.  He cared for them from the years of changing diapers to the years of teaching them to drive a car.  Stan became Grandpa not only to his family, but to the neighborhood and the kids at school as well.  Everyone called him Grandpa Stan.  Stanley volunteered to teach his Granddaughter in Sunday School one year.  Little did he know at the time that the kids would enjoy his teaching so much that he taught the same children many years, until they were out of Sunday School.  Stanley even directed Christmas Programs with no musical experience of his own.  Stan and Marge loved to travel.  They brought their daughters on many cross-country car trips, eventually traveling to the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii several times. By far, Stanley’s favorite place to visit was closer to home and closer to his heart.  He loved when He and Marge could take their two Granddaughters to Illinois to Visit their Daughters family.  Nothing made him happier than to see all of his Grandchildren together.  Stanley’s family was everything to him.  Knowing that they were all safe and happy and taking care of each other was a great comfort to him as his time grew shorter.     Stan is survived by his daughters, Barbara Piper (Kevin), Wallingford, CT, and Nancy Hagen (Todd), East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren, Daniel Piper (Melanie) and Kyle Piper (Fiancé Jessie Simpson), Wallingford, CT, Crystal Walsh (Josh), Grand Forks, ND, and Katie Snobl (fiancé Tommy Williamson), Fargo, ND;  great-grandchildren, Piper Snobl, and Mauer Walsh;  one Brother, five Sisters and many Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his Wife Margaret in 2006, his Parents, his mother-in-law and nine Siblings. To honor Stan’s wishes, no formal funeral services will be held. Private Family burial in Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks will be held at a later date.   “If you get the choice to sit it out or dance- I hope you dance”