Maurice "Stan" W. Stansbury, Jr.

Maurice William Stansbury Jr. died Monday, July 8, 2019 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Maurice was born in Dieburg, West Germany on May 21, 1960. He was chosen and adopted by Maurice and JoAnne Stansbury. His father was serving in the US Army causing him to move several times until they moved to La Crosse, WI, where he graduated from Aquinas High School in 1978. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 26, 1980.

Maurice had a broad Civil Engineer background that includes working as Housing Manager and Superintendent in numerous squadron level billets. His assignments included bases in Washington State, North Dakota, Florida, and Texas. He also served overseas in Korea and Germany. His deployments included supporting Operation Desert Shield, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. He loved being a heavy equipment operator, being one of the “DirtBoyz”, a nickname he proudly wore. After 30 years of service to his country, Maurice retired from the Air Force on March 31, 2010 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He was very proud of his years of service and loved to tell “war stories”.

Stan, as he was called by most in his later years of service, married Ellen (Slettebak) Monson on November 20, 2007. They made their home in Thompson, ND, until August of 2011, when they moved to the Farmstead between Reynolds and Buxton. They worked on completely remodeling the house the year prior to moving in. He loved doing yard work and was very proud of his shop that he had done just how he wanted it. Stan loved collecting and restoring old military vehicles. He was a member of both the ND and National Military Vehicle Collector MVPA. He so enjoyed taking his Jeep and trucks to parades.

Maurice “Bill” (as family called him), “Stan” or “Chief”, which ever name you used, showed us all how to be proud of our country and who we are. To love and respect everyone, even if he did not agree all the time with them. He was the best friend and neighbor anyone could ask for. RIP Chief, you will be greatly missed.

Maurice is survived by his wife Ellen; daughters: DeAnna Koller and Mikela Stansbury; stepsons: Devin, Adam, and Kyle Monson; four grandchildren: Christian Bakalars-Koller, Ethan and Sophia Bushman, Aelita Monson; brother, Fred Stansbury; sister, Trudy (Troy) Guide; father and mother in-law: Les and Mavis Slettebak; sisters-in-law: Cindy Gardner, Candice (Bill) Lankford, Nancy Neumann; brother-in-law, Mark (Jody) Slettebak and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother Maurice and JoAnne Stansbury and brother-in-law Charles Gardner.

Funeral service will be held Monday, July 15, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND.
Visitation will be held Sunday, July 14, 2019 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 5:30p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Buxton, ND. Visitation will continue 1 hour prior to the start of the service at the church.
Burial will be held in Petersburg City Cemetery, Petersburg, ND.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Buxton, Petersburg City Cemetery, Petersburg, ND or the Grand Forks Veteran Park.