Stanley Sailer

Stanley Sailer, 82 passed away in his home after a long battle with cancer on November 10, 2024. He died quietly surrounded by his brothers and sisters. A Memorial will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM, with lunch after at the Pick City Hall. All are invited to celebrate in memories of his long life. 

Stanley was born to Toby and Elsie Sailer in Hazen, ND on November 3, 1942. He was the fifth born into a family of 15 children. The family lived in Stanton at the time of his birth and then moved to Pick City in 1953. He went to first grade in Stanton and the rest of grade school in Pick City and high school in Stanton.

Stanley never married. He enjoyed his relationships with his brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews all the way to the end of his life. He kept everyone on track with the extended family genealogy by nagging them to keep on supplying him with all the new birth and marriage information. Stanley started working at an early age as an adventurous pin setter at the Riverdale Bowling Alley and retired as a union carpenter. He always had stories to tell about both. He worked on the construction of the local power plants but was especially proud of the work he did in the construction of the smokestacks in Stanton, Center, Underwood and Beulah. He was an avid gardener with his two gardens, growing enough vegetables to feed all his neighbors and extended family. He also was a talented woodworker. He never looked at a piece of wood without wondering what it could be. In his shop he built wooden cars and trucks, benches, stools, chairs, rocking chairs and rocking horses. In his giving spirit he gave away these wood projects to local libraries, neighbors and to all of his siblings, nieces and nephews. His love for reading was shown by his wooden stools being used in the children story hours at the local libraries. His wood projects were constructed well and will be around a very long time in remembering Uncle Stan. Stanley was also the organizer and administrator of the ‘Pick City Merchant’ soft ball team. He often kept the team going by covering costs from his own pocket. He loved playing second base and pitching. The team played for thirteen years from 1972 – 1985, winning numerous trophies and the North Dakota Class E State Championship in 1981.

Stanley is survived by three sisters, Judy (Joe) Proulx of Mandan, Lavonne (Dale) Evenson of Bismarck and Yvonne (Monty) Stiefel of Garrison; and six brothers: Willis of Port Orchard, WA, Jake (Janet) of Waynesville MO, Perry (Donna) of Vancouver, WA, Bruce (Marilyn) of Mandan, Lee (Coleen) of Washburn, and Tom (Cindy) of Washburn. 

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Toby and Elsie; brothers, Tommy, Glen, Robert, Jimmy and his sister, Joan McCloud.