The Live Broadcast will open at 10:45a.m. for the 11:00a.m. Service
Stanley (Stan) George Van Diest, age 85, of Helena, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Sept. 9, 2021. He was born Sept. 28, 1935 in Helena to Martin and Alice (Knowles) Van Diest. He was the middle child with two sisters. Stan attended Helena schools and was on the track team earning several awards and he also played trumpet in the band, which we still have today. He graduated form Helena High in 1954.
That same year he joined the Montana Army National Guard and the Montana Air National Guard and participated in many weekend drills. He wanted to become a pilot but was not able to due so due to an eye condition, so he became a mechanic working on helicopters and airplanes instead, which he loved doing for the next 35 years. The Guard sent him to many schools across the United States, some of which he was able to take us with him and we lived in our camp trailer, which we still have today. During one of his weekend furloughs, his close friend, Terry wanted to take him home to Conrad to meet his cousin on a blind date but, he met my mom, Shirley Jean Nyberg, instead. Sorry Auntie Carol. The rest is history. Momma and Daddy were married the following year on Oct. 13, 1957. They had two daughters, Cheryl Ann and Terrie Lou, and a son Allan Lee. They lived in Ulm for a year and then moved to Helena where they lived in the same house for the next 60 years.
Daddy was a quiet, very laidback man. But once you told a joke and got him going, he had quite the sense of humor. After retiring from the Guard, Daddy went to work for the Friendship Center for the next 10 years. He loved to help people and tinkering, so this was the perfect job for him. He made several great friends.
Stan loved spending time with his wife and children, going camping almost every weekend. He was involved in Jobs Daughters and Cub Scouts. Daddy was a Jack of all trades. He had his hand into everything and created many items and if he needed a tool he didn’t have, he would create it. He taught us girls how to take care of ourselves and was always here for us when we called. Stan was in a fish club and won many trophies for his exotic fish we had. He had his own sharpening business, loved to pan for gold and hunt for rocks of all sizes, and cut them to make beautiful jewelry for Shirley, Cheryl and Terrie. He even sold some. Daddy loved wood carving. He was involved in a class for many years and had several lifelong friends. He made a lot of unique items and gave them as gifts and won awards for them at showings.
Daddy loved history of any kind and was a book worm and I have the books to prove it. He had a book on every subject you could ever want. He was a bird watcher and a critter watcher. But most of all, Daddy and Momma loved spending time at their cabin in Lincoln with family and friends.
He spent the last two years living in Great Falls with his daughter Cheryl and son-in-law, Henry. Attending many functions, especially watching great grandchildren’s sporting events.
Stan is preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley; daughter, Terrie; a grandson, Callin Michael Klimpel; and his parents. He is survived by his daughter Cheryl (Henry) Tadej; grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Meismer, Kristen Mansch, Jake (Staci) Mansch and Stormie Klimpel; great grandchildren, Tracy, Caitee and Serenity Meismer, Axton and Parker Mansch; son-in-law, Todd Klimpel; son, Allan; grandchildren, Damon (Janell) Van Diest and Niccole (Ryan) Gibson; great grandchildren, RyeLee Van Diest, Logan and KayLea Gibson; sisters, Margaret Sperry and Kay Phipps; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 24, 2021 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial with Military Honors will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Center in Helena.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 24, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday September 24, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Friday September 24, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 24, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Friday September 24, 2021
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
Following the reception
Friday September 24, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Ave.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Dennis Olson says
Sorry to here about Stan. He was the first person i worked with when I went to work at the AASF. We had lots of good times working. He will be missed.
Jim Haynes says
I worked many years with Stan at the Army Aviation Facility here in Helena, What A fine gentleman he was, I will surely miss him.
Mike Van Diest says
Stan was one of the kindest people I have known. Great husband and father and friend to many. Good Bless!
Mike Van Diest says
Stan was one of the kindest people I have known. Great husband, father and friend. God Bless!
Mickey Street says
he was a good man expecially when he ran the credit union keep me on my feet weekends he was fair and a good soldier
Kimberly Dale says
When Stan arrived at the Friendship Center to offer his helping hands, my late husband Matthew Dale, could not have been happier. They shared many stories of their work together and Stan was always there to lend his knowledge, his strong back and good friendship to everyone. After they both left the Friendship Center they established a solid bond that was very much appreciated by Matt. I only have the fondest memories of this remarkable, quite man.
Shawn Rafferty says
I am vey happy for the virtual service. Another of the generation ahead of us is gone, so sorry. Unfortunately the office I work in had a case of COVID exposure this week. Hugs to family and prayers for peace.
Peter Lenmark says
A wonderful service, to remember a wonderful
man today!!
The Friendship Center was so fortunate
to have him as the go to person for the day to day
routine maintenance, but step aside when real
help was needed. Stan knew what to do, and exactly
how to do it..
The staff, and all previous board members truly
knew his skills, and devotion to the Friendship
Center.
Thank you Stan, and God bless!!