Stanley L. Libolt

Stanley Lewis Libolt was born on July 5, 1934 at home on the Libolt ranch in rural Keya Paha County near Burton, Nebraska. He was the only child of Leonard Manning Libolt and Donna Belle (Lewis) Libolt. Stan lived almost his entire 88 years on the family homestead. He passed away suddenly on April 1, 2023 at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill surrounded by his family.
Stan attended Keya Paha County High School, graduating in May of 1952. On June 7, 1953 he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Ann Van Metre. Stan entered the US Army in January of 1956 and the couple moved to Fort Riley, Kansas where he was stationed. Stan had a deep love of music and was honored to be enlisted in the US Army Band. He was sent to the Naval School of Music in Washington, D.C. for advanced music training. Upon his return to Ft. Riley in Kansas, the US Army Band performed for many military events. Kristy Kay, the first of four children, joined the family in September 1957 while Stan was stationed in Kansas. Stan received an honorable hardship discharge on March 17, 1958 after his father had health issues requiring Stan to return home to help run the family ranch.
After returning home to Springview, Stan and Janice added three more children to their family, Steven Leonard who arrived in July of 1959, Denny Lloyd in October of 1963 and Kathy Fay in January of 1965.
Stan was involved with the school for many years serving on the school board and as bus driver for high school activities. He drove the bus during the years his four children were in high school traveling to band, scholastic and sporting events. He was also active in the summer with all his children’s baseball and softball games, announcing many of those games. His love and support continued with all his grandchildren and Stan and Jan traveled many miles over the years to cheer them on in their events.
In the early 1980’s the fall in the cattle market caused Stan to make a career change from strictly ranching. With the help of his nephew, Vernon Smith, Stan became an agent for Modern Woodmen of America Insurance. He traveled thousands of miles to provide services to clients in northeast Nebraska for 30 years. He truly loved visiting with people and working hard to do what was best for his clients. His clients were like friends and family to Stan and he always had their best interests in mind.
Music remained a large part of Stan’s life up until the time of his passing. He had a special talent for playing the saxophone and had a beautiful singing voice. He played with several bands including the Aces of Rhythm and would play for dances all around the area. Janice attended as many dances as she could and the couple, who both loved to dance, would always make time for a dance or two during the evening. Stan played his saxophone for several family weddings, many funerals of neighbors and friends and to entertain the residents of area assisted living and nursing homes.
Stan’s enjoyment for hunting was passed down to his children and grandchildren. In the fall of 1964, he was contacted by an area hunting guide asking if some hunters from Omaha could come hunt on his land. That would start a tradition of hunting that continues to this day. That first group of hunters became as close as family and some portion of the group would return every year to hunt since 1964. Now the second and third generations of their families continue the hunting tradition. Stan always looked forward to hunting season and loved to guide each group that came to hunt.
Stan was very active in his community and an active member of the United Methodist Church in Springview. He was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, a Mason and a Shriner with the Tangier Shrine Club. There were many local celebrations that would find Stan driving one of the little Shriner cars in the parade. He was very proud of the work the Shriners do for area children. Stan served as director on the Three River Telco Board for 29 years. He served on the Election Board, and the Keya Paha County Foundation Fund Committee. He was active in the Springview American Legion and part of his duties was gathering service information for deceased veterans.
Stan and Janice recently moved to Country Lane Retirement Village in O’Neill the end of October. It was a hard move for Stan as he had lived on the homestead his entire life except for the time spent in the Army. He was adjusting to life away from the farm and spent many hours working on puzzles and enjoying the activities at Country Lane.
Stan was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, a niece, nephew, great-granddaughter, grandson, step-granddaughter and the original hunting group. Stan is survived by his wife of 69 years and 10 months, Janice Ann Libolt; his four children, Kristy Libolt of Neligh, Steve and Cindy (Tuttle) Libolt of Springview, Denny and Vicki (Gartner) Libolt of Springview and Kathy and John Vandersnick of O’Neill. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Amber and Noel Harewood, Brenda and the late Jeff Konkoleski, Alycia and Matthew Harden, Montana and Zachary DeVries, Donna and Schylar Franssen, Casey Vandersnick and Daniel and Mallory Libolt; three step-grandchildren, Eric Lidgett, Joan Jakoubek and Kari Webber; eleven great-grandchildren, ten step-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Friday, April 7, 2023 at the Keya Paha High School in Springview. Pastor David Randall officiated at the service. Music was provided by Rick Nelson, with a special saxophone medley recorded by Stan being played. The obituary was read by Amber Harewood with special remarks given by Casey Vandersnick. Casketbearers were: Daniel Libolt, Casey Vandersnick, Noel Harewood, Matthew Harden, Zachary DeVries and Schylar Franssen. Honorary Casketbearers included the late Jeff Konkoleski and all of the other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Organizational Rites were conducted by Silver Cord Lodge #224 AF & AM, and Military Rites by Springview American Legion Post #98 and the Nebraska Army National Guard Funeral Honor Team. Memorials were suggested to the family in Stan’s name for a future designation. Interment was in the Mt. Hope Cemetery at Springview under the direction of the Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com .