Stanley Spahn

Stanley Joseph Spahn was born May 23, 1932, to Joseph C. Spahn (passed 1970) and Agnes Keller Spahn (passed 2000) at the Spahn homestead on Woodland Drive in Waunakee. He married Kathleen Fitzgerald on Jan. 6, 1962, at St. John’s in Waunakee. Kathy passed November 12, 2017.

Stanley is survived by his children, Debra Spahn Bursinger (Mike), Mike Spahn (Jodie), and Mark Spahn (Shari); grandchildren, Kathryn, Caroline (Ryan Fields) and Jack Bursinger, Michael Spahn (passed 2018), Cassie Spahn Maulbetsch (Max), Jesse Olson (Ashley), Toria Spahn Sutherland (Darren), and Tanner Spahn (Shamy); and great-grandchildren, Eleanor Bursinger, Danica Henrickson, Stella Spahn Cooper-Borkenhagen, Leo and Tate Maulbetsch, Valerie and Matthew Olson, Waylon and Madison Sutherland, and William Spahn.

He is also survived by his sister, Jane Kaltenberg. His sister Doris Ripp passed in 2018. His brothers are Jim and David (passed 1938). Surviving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include Sharon Fitzgerald, Arlene Fitzgerald, Dennis and Anita Fitzgerald, and Tim and Mary Fitzgerald. Special extended family and friends include Matt, Kristen, Jameson and Dylan Cooper-Borkenhagen; Mike and Cindy Baker and family; and Gene and Diane Wilkinson. He is also survived by many other nieces and nephews.

Taking full advantage of the genes he inherited from his mother, Stanley Spahn lived a long and rewarding life of 94 years, passing away peacefully at home on August 29, 2026, surrounded by family.

Stan was a legend in Waunakee, having lived there all of his life, most of it on the Spahn family homestead on Woodland Drive. His beginnings were humble, raised as the son of farmers who worked hard and lived a simple life filled with family and friends. Growing up in the small village of Waunakee in the mid-20th century meant that Stan was related to, or knew, everyone in the village. When he wasn’t working on the farm during those years, he was on the baseball field or the basketball court. He enjoyed spending time with friends at Waunakee Union High School, especially his longtime friend Audrey Reis.

His love of cars started when he was old enough to drive and purchased a 1948 Chevrolet. He loved his 1960 Thunderbird, a 1947 coupe that he drove for decades, and a beautifully restored 1958 Edsel that he and his son Mike often drove in parades. His final car purchase at age 87 was a sporty red Ford Mustang.

Though he was raised on a farm, Stan followed through on a dream to start a trucking business. From one dump truck purchased in 1957, Stan built an excavating empire, Spahn Excavating, which he proudly passed on to his sons and where he continued to work with his son until his passing.

Stan had a life-long love affair with . . . lawnmowers. When he wasn’t operating a backhoe or grader or driving his pick-up between job sites, he was on a lawnmower.

Stan excelled at many things, including winning at slots and blackjack tables, doing underdogs for his kids on the rope swing, throwing baseballs to the kids, doing “donuts” on a snowy driveway, making his grandkids laugh with his stories, giving bottles to his great-grandbabies, and hitting the Kareem “sky hook” in the final seconds of a game on his home driveway.

Stan and Kathy enjoyed traveling and spending time at Ho-Chunk. Stan talked often about the cruises they took through the Panama Canal and to Alaska. They made many trips to Las Vegas. Stan marveled at Kathy’s sixth sense abilities, which she demonstrated by always appearing at Stan’s side any time he won a significant jackpot at a slot machine.

Though Stan excelled as a businessman, husband, and friend, his greatest joy and pride was his family. He loved to spend time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids and always made sure they knew how much he loved them. He especially cherished the babies and could spend endless amounts of time holding, feeding, or playing with his babies, grandbabies, and great-grandbabies.

Stan’s grandkids have special memories of the holidays when they got Grandpa to imbibe a few drinks and regale them with stories of his youth. They especially enjoyed his reference to their grandma Kathy as his “hot tamale.” Over the years, they took many walks with him in his backyard to see his lawn handiwork and throw stones in Six Mile Creek. There was an annual outing to Little Amerricka that they always looked forward to.

He grew especially close to his grandson Michael and was a constant source of support for him. Michael’s passing was the greatest sorrow of his life.

Stan was so excited for his first great-grandchild, Stella. She has always held a special place in his heart. Recently, his favorite moments were spent giving bottles to great-grandsons Leo and Tate and just watching them grow. He and great-granddaughter Valerie had such fun sharing an ice cream sundae at his 93rd birthday celebration, and he loved the special gifts she made especially for him. He enjoyed talking baseball with his great-grandson Waylon. He was always so excited to see his newest great-grandchildren Ellie, Matthew, Madison, and William.

The things that were most impressive about Stan were his humility, his kindness, and his immensely love-able character. He never pretended to be anything other than himself—a “good guy” who lived simply and loved his family and friends with his whole being. He was cherished and beloved by his family more than words can express. The loss of his presence in their lives will be profound.

We know he is happily reunited now with Kathy, his mother Agnes and dad Joe, his beloved grandson Michael, and many other family and friends. He will be with all of us forever in our hearts. We hope he finds heaven is a place where there are slot machines and a lot of lawn to mow.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery and reception will be held at Waunakee American Legion.