Stanley Fillingsness, age 90 of Beresford, SD died October 15, 2008 at Bethesda of Beresford. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford with the family present from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Stanley Fillingsness was born July 10, 1918 at Volga, South Dakota to Andrew and Ingeborg (Skaar) Fillingsness of Sinai, SD. He died October 16, 2008 at Bethesda of Beresford at the age of 90 years, three months and five days.

Stan grew up on his parent's farm and attended Sinai Public School. In 1929, the family moved to a farm north of Beresford where Stan continued with his education and farmed with his father and brother. Stan was very active in the Skrefsrud Lutheran Church. He attended school in Lincoln, NE where he studied mechanics.

On June 14, 1941 he married Ihlene Rud of Sioux Falls. Stan was employed by the Beresford Co-op and later Reed Sales Co. He owned his own machine repair shop before enlisting in the US Navy. After receiving a medical discharge he became an insurance agent for Mutual of New York Insurance Co which he continued for the rest of his life. He was appointed a US letter carrier for the Beresford Postal Service in 1952, retiring in 1977 after 25 years of service.

Stan served as a leader for the Beresford Cub Scouts and assistant Boy Scout leader. He promoted and coached American Legion baseball; serving on the State Am. Legion Athletic Commission for over 10 years.

As an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church he was a Sunday School teacher, congregational president, head usher, Luther League advisor, Bethel Bible Study instructor and recently chairman of the building Committee for the recent addition to the church. Stan served on the 'Support to Ministries' board of the SD Synod of the ELCA.

Stan joined the Beresford Volunteer Fire Department in 1944 and was Fire Chief from 1960 to 1971. He was awarded South Dakota 'Fireman of the Year' at Pierre in 1969. He served as Vice President of the Missouri Valley Fire Chiefs Association. He was an American Red Cross First Aid instructor. At the 'Indy 500' he was one of fifty in the US chosen to participate in the 'Pit Fire Fighter' crew in Indianapolis, Indiana for 15 years.

Stan was a charter and lifetime member of the Sons of Norway Kong Olav Lodge #483. He served in several positions including president for three terms. He promoted several tours to Norway, Sweden and Denmark as well as cruises in the Caribbean and the Panama Canal and a number of bus tours.

For at least 25 years he has been a fulltime woodworker specializing in the Norwegian Acanthus style of woodcarving. He taught woodcarving in Community Education in Canton and Beresford.

Grateful for sharing his life is his wife, Ihlene Fillingsness; five children, Geoffrey Fillingsness and special friend, Jeanne Baillie, Steven (Charlotte) Fillingsness, Tami (Larry) Orr, Ross Fillingsness and Renee (Donn) Gasner; 12 grandchildren, Denise (Rick) Mills, Ann (Dale) Overdorf, David Fillingsness, Trevor (Carolyn) Fillingsness, Matthew Fillingsness, Andrew Fillingsness, Wendy (Juan) Guzman, Jessica (Mike) Seivert, Lee Fillingsness, Lisa (Damian) Wise, Olivia Gasner and Jocelyn Gasner and 8 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother, Clarence, sister, Burdella Johnson and daughter, Candace.

As a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather his presence of strength, faith, wisdom, love and laughter will be sorely missed.