08/24/2010 - Max I. Staman

Funeral services for Max I. Staman age 80 of  Rural Sioux County who died August 20, 2010 at home with his family at his bedside will be held August 24, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Crawford Community Center with Pastor Scott Mathis and Pastor Doug Keener officiating. Internment will be held at the Crawford Cemetery immediately following the service. He requested that his son bring his post hole diggers to bury his ashes so that everyone could share in his burial plot. A memorial has been established for the future education of his great grand children.

Max was born December 13, 1929 in the area of Little Lake Alice to E.B. and Theckla (Wendel) Staman. He received his early education at Oak Creek, Kiowa, and Little Lake Alice schools. He had a little trouble making it through the third grade because of spelling and English which continued to plague him the rest of his life and frequently made his family giggle when they received written communication from him. He then continued his education at Scottsbluff High School graduating in 1949. Following high school he and his brother Donald joined the U.S. Marine Corps serving during the Korean Conflict. While serving he achieved the rank of Sergeant, and as he put it “Donald was the Marine and I was the tag-a-long”. After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps he attended the University of Wyoming where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. While attending UW he was on the rodeo team and qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in the Saddle Bronc riding and the Bulldogging. He achieved his Master’s Degree in 1983 from the University of Nebraska. He met and married Rita Ruth Rising on April 3, 1958. To this union was born his son Tam of Sioux County and his daughter Kipla of Mitchell. He lost the love of his life Rita Ruth July 8, 1998.

Max served as the Vocational Agriculture Instructor and the FFA advisor for 35 years at Crawford and Rushville High Schools. He was not always understood by his students and peers but he was always respected. Under his advisement many of his students received State and National recognition for FFA. He retired in 1992 from Rushville High School and then went on to enjoy ranching in the Crawford area until the time of his death.

Max was a member of the United Methodist Church for 58 years, he was a lifetime member of the Elks club, a member of the American Legion for 57 years, he served on the Rushville Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years serving as the president for 2 of those years, he was an active member of the Nebraska Vocational Ag Teachers Association for 35 years serving as a District President during that time, He served as a member of  the Rushville Honor Guard for 25 years considering it to be a honor, privilege and duty.

Later in life he married Opal Hinchley and they lived in the Crawford area. He also enjoyed participating in the Old Timers Rodeo, dancing and playing cards with friends and family always being ready to sit down for a game of pitch knowing that if he didn’t win he would accuse the winners of cheating. As his time grew short he returned to the Sioux County area to enjoy his children, grand children and great grand children.

So much more to write so little room to write it, he will always be remembered for his love of life and his love for family and friends.

Max was preceded in death by his wife Rita, his parents, four brothers, two grand children, and several great grand children. He will be greatly missed by his son Tam (Paula) daughter Kipla, eight grandchildren, and four great grand children, two brothers, one sister, several nieces and nephews and wife Opal and her family.