Stanley David Kociemba

Stanley David Kociemba, age 88 of Elk River passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the VA Community Living Center in St. Cloud, MN.

A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 24, 2024 at 12:30 pm, with visitation beginning at 11:30 am, at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church with Father Mark Innocenti and Deacon Ernie Kociemba as Celebrants. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. Andrew Cemetery in Elk River.

Stanley David Kociemba was born November 17, 1935 to Stanis and Victoria (Wiatrak) Kociemba in St. Anna, MN. Stan married Catherine LaRue (Herges) in 1960. The pair lived in Columbia Heights for a couple years, then moved to Blaine and eventually moved to the Ramsey/Elk River area where they lived the past 50 years. 

Stan grew up on the family farm in St. Anna, MN with his five sisters and four brothers. From 1955 to 1957 he served in the US Army as a military policeman with the 385th battalion stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. After his military service, he worked as a deckhand on the iron ore ships on Lake Superior. He had a love for boats and water. In 1959 he started a 34 year career with Hypro Engineering in New Brighton, MN as a machinist and tool and die maker. Along the way Stan owned his own sod delivery business, janitorial service company, and snowplowing and landscaping company. 

Stan lived a wonderful life alongside LaRue, his wife of 63 years. He treasured being a dad to his three girls, Joan, Sandy and Judy. His strong faith and love of family was ever-present. Stan was a true outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish, garden, golf, snowmobile, weight lift and motorcycle.

Survivors include his children, Joan (Keith) Finkbeiner, Sandy (Mark) Olzenak, and Judy (Andy) Blaylock; grandchildren, Rachel (Tyler) Brown, Janell (Cooper) Bleyhl, Kelsey (Joe) Ellsworth, Eric Blaylock, Alycia Olzenak and Carter Olzenak; and great grandchildren, Emmett Ellsworth, Albany Ellsworth, and Aaron Brown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaRue; five sisters and four brothers.

Serving the family is Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com

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