Doug Stahl, age 66, of Huron, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 29, 2018, surrounded by his family. His funeral service was held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 2nd at Prairie Bible Church, rural Carpenter. Memorials may be sent to James Valley Christian School or Byron Bible Camp.
Douglas David Stahl was born September 7, 1951, to George and Bertha (Tschetter) Stahl of Yale, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm where his oldest son now resides. He attended grade school at the Hofer and the Johnson Schools in Liberty Township and Yale and graduated from James Valley Christian School. After graduation, he farmed with his father and brothers and worked at Armour Company.
He married Betty Schley on September 28, 1974. Farming was his passion, but as he gradually lost his eyesight Betty and his sons took more responsibilities as he led by sharing his knowledge and guidance. He found ways to contribute that would amaze those that realized how much his sight was limited. In 2001, they moved to Huron and left his sons to care for his beloved farm. In town, he often walked many miles a day with his white cane. He had places that he routinely stopped to share chocolate and cheer, including Stoneybrook Assisted Living, Taco Johns and Cornerstone Financial.
Doug put his faith in the Lord Jesus at an early age and was baptized at Hutterthal Mennonite Church on Palm Sunday 1976. Doug was a quiet man that portrayed loving traits and values without many words, but when he did speak his words were treasured. He never complained about his blindness or his recent illness but continued to live out his faith by loving example. One of his most precious contributions to his family was to give his sons a living example of how to love his wife.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Betty of 43 years; four sons, David (Michelle Jensen) of Yale, James (Gayle Farrell) of Hitchcock, Robert (Tasha Koerner) of Huron, and Brent (Cailin Carroll) of Yale; twelve grandchildren, Sadie, Jaylin, Weston, Summer, Kaitlyn, Autumn, Kayleigh, Kenleigh, Eva, Reese, Anna, and Eliza; one brother, Donald Stahl of Huron; three sisters, Sharon Stahl of Sioux Falls, Elaine (Wilmer) Kleinsasser, and Georgiane (Kenneth) Kleinsasser of Huron, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Bertha Stahl; two brothers, Daniel and Darwin Stahl; one sister, Mildred Stahl; one sister-in-law, Bertha (Miner) Stahl; and one niece, Sarah Jo Kleinsasser.