1928: Chaska Weekly Newspaper
Joseph Stans, former Chaska boy, passes away suddenly.Heart Affliction Claims Former Prominent Member of the Famous Old Sodality Band.
Old home friends were deeply grieved to learn of the demise of Joseph J Stans, former Chaska boy, which occurred at his home at 3852 11th Avenue South, Minneapolis, on June 10, 1928 at the age of 46 years, 5 months and 18 days. He was taken very suddenly the night of his death and up to a few minutes before his demise was apparently in perfect health.
Deceased was born in Chaska, January 31, 1882. He attended the local Guardian Angel school and after attaining young manhood entered the employ of the mercantile of Vogel & Son, later entering like work with John Belerstettel, which business he later purchased in company with his brother. As a young man he joined old Sodality Band and for years was one of the leading members of that organization, being an excellent musician.
After going out of business here he went to Richmond, Minnesota, where he worked for several years for the late Senator John J Ahmann. He also directed the Richmond band during his residence there. On June 28, 1905, he was married at the Guardian Angel Church to Miss Elizabeth Heller, of Shakopee. After leaving Richmond, the family moved to Steele, North Dakota, where he became prominent in business and politics and served two terms as county treasurer of Steele county. After retiring from politics he moved back to Minneapolis, Minnesota several years ago and at the time of his death was a traveling salesman.
He was a great family man - a home loving man of genial disposition, well liked by all who knew him. His death is not only a severe shock to his wife and children, but to a wide circle of friends in Chaska as well as elsewhere where the family had resided. He was a member of the Modern Woodsmen of America, in which he carried insurance. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stans, all whom are living, namely: Alice, Leone, Eileen, Donald, Dolores, Roman, Florian, Margaret and Phyllis. These, with their heartbroken mother, and three brothers, Henry and Leo of Chaska, and J. Hubert Stans, of Shakopee, are left to mourn the early demise of a devoted and faithful husband and father and brother.
Writer knew Joe Stans from boyhood days. We played ball with him on the Old Chaska Advertisers. We followed his career with interest after he left the old home town and it seems almost incredible to believe that a robust young man like he, in the prime of life, is no more. Joe had a fine personality, he was gentile, kindly, and courteous and generally considered a good business man. Life is uncertain and a Master hand directs the fate of each one of us.
The funeral service was read by the Rev. Mr. Talbot on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the funeral home of Barney Anderson & Son, 3644 Chicago Avenue, and many sorrowing relatives and friends, from near and far, followed the remains to their resting place in Hillside Cemetery. Relatives from Chaska at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stans and family, Frank and John Ess, and Wm. Hentges, Chaska; Huberet Stans and family, the Heller family, and Miss Ellen Winker, Shakopee