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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF STANLEY PAUL STONE October 22, 1915 – July 5, 2012 Stanley was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 22, 1915, the 5th and last child of Gustav and Lina Stone. Gustav and Lina immigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1902. Stan had two brothers and two sisters: Margaret, Evelyn, Arnold and Elmer. The family attended St. Paul Evangelical Free Church. Stan accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior when he was 12 years old at a revival meeting at his church. His father often asked his children "Have you read the Bible today?" That made a big impression on Stan. One of his favorite Scripture passages was Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Stan attended Johnson High School, graduating in 1934, and then Macalester College for pre-med, graduating in 1937. While at Macalester he played hockey and was the fastest skater and highest scorer on the team. Macalester won the State College Championship two of the three years that he played. Golf and handball were other sports that he enjoyed. After graduating from Macalester, he went to the University of Minnesota Medical School and finished in 1941, as a family practice physician. When specialties began to be the “in” thing, Stan would say that he was a specialist too, “in the skin, and all of its contents.” He was an intern and resident at Ancker Hospital in St. Paul (now Regions Hospital) from 1941-1943.. Stan met Barbara Burnham, in the Emergency Room at Ancker. She was a nurse from St. Croix, Wisconsin. He was impressed with her smile, and the devotion she showed in caring for patients. They were married on April 14, 1943. Stan began medical practice by himself on Lowry and Penn Ave N in Minneapolis, working within the Fairview Hospital system. After 10 years he built an office on Lowry and Queen Ave. N, where Dr. Wallace Anderson joined him. They then worked within the North Memorial Hospital system. Stan was Chief of Staff at North Memorial in 1956, and was also one of the founders of the local chapter of the Christian Medical Society. In 1965, other doctors joined him to form the Golden Valley Clinic. He worked there until his retirement in 1985. Stan enjoyed people and formed many close relationships with patients and their families. Stan and Barb attended First Free Church in Minneapolis for many years, and then in 1951 began attending Crystal Free Church (now New Hope Church) when there were about 50 members. Stan served in many capacities: a trustee, chairman of the church, youth leader with Barbara, member of the Missions Committee, and member of the Board of Directors of the North Central District Association of the EFCA. From 1982-1990, Stan and Barb helped with the Maple Grove Free Church plant. Travel was something that Stan loved to do. Both he and Barb served as short-term missionaries for 4-6 weeks at a time in South Africa and Zaire in the 1970’s and 80’s. They also traveled to the Holy Land several times. Stan loved people and could strike up a conversation anytime, anywhere and with anyone. He had a knack for making everyone feel special and appreciated. He “entertained” us all with his whistling, violin playing, joke telling, head-standing, and the reciting of numerous poems, Scripture passages and “ditties” that he had memorized over the years. Stan and Barb moved to Covenant Village in 1987. Barb died in 1991. Stan moved to Heritage House in 2007 and Colonial Acres in 2011. He appreciated the care he received in his later years and often complemented the staff. Stan and Barb encouraged and raised 3 children, Peter, Virginia and Paul. He leaves behind a great heritage of Love for God and love of family. Stan is survived by his children, Peter (wife Susan), Ginny (husband Ken), and Paul (wife Stephanie), 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Stan will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who loved and served God and cared deeply for family and friends. His sense of humor, quick wit and thankful spirit served him well in his later years. Above all, his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ sustained him until the Lord took Him home.
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