Stanley T. "Stash" Rybak Jr.

Stanley T. Rybak. Jr., 70, Sobieski, died peacefully and unexpectedly Sunday morning, March 29, 2026, at a local hospital with his family at his side. Stash was born June 10, 1955, the son of Stanley, Sr. and Julia (Gutowski) Rybak and was a 1973 graduate of Pulaski High School.

Stan met the love of his life, Marianne, through his good friend and her brother, Dale Wojciechowski. The couple was married June 11, 1977, at St. John Cantius Church in Sobieski. They made their home and raised their family just a mile and a half down the road and would have celebrated their 50 th Anniversary in 2027.

A jack-of-all-trades, Stashu started out working at his Uncle Mike Rybak's garage/gas station in Suamico, and then worked at Woosencraft Chevrolet, Northwest Engineering, Industrial Engraving, and then (Bemis) Paper Converting until his retirement, at which time he assumed the full-time role of being grandpa. He especially enjoyed going to all his grandkids' sporting events and activities, where he was a noted umpire heckler and sideline coach. Each day he went for his morning walk, making sure he was back in time to wave and exchange greetings with his grandson, John, as he went past the house on his way to school.

A lifelong member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Stan volunteered his time providing his famous booyah for the annual church picnic for over 30 years. He also served as the cemetery sexton, which included making sure the lawn was neatly mowed.

Stan loved making Sunday dinners for his family, which often included mashed potatoes or spaghetti. His love for cooking also included making Polish sausage and venison summer sausage for family and friends. It also extended to his love of gardening, where he specialized in tomato plants… 160 plants made their way into his garden each year.

In addition, Stash also enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and watching NASCAR and offroad racing. He was also good at cheering on and hating the Packers, all at the same time. He was a wheeler and dealer on Marketplace and Craigslist, as evidenced by the stockpile of "necessary" items in his garage and shed. Stan was extremely frugal and had an extensive collection of new clothes, new tools, etc., most of which remained in the box for when the 'old stuff' was no longer usable. He was the guy to call when you needed help.

Survivors include his wife, Marianne; one son and two daughters: Lee Rybak (Vicky Parsley), Gwen Rybak (Andrew Wolfgram), and Shannon (Josh) Nelson, all of Sobieski; four grandchildren: Grace Spindler and Jordan Spindler (Sara Rohm), John Nelson and Lillian Nelson; his loyal (and overweight) dog, Chip; three sisters: Jean Pautz, Sobieski, Dona (Jerry) Bonkowski, Arizona, and Jacki (Dan) Spoentgen, Green Bay; his good friend and brother-in-law, Dale (Ruth) Wojciechowski; Cioci` Theresa Leja, special work friends with whom he stayed in contact, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Stan was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Bruce Pautz, and Marianne's parents, Chester and Mary Wojciechowski.

Friends are invited to gather with the family at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 6051 Noble St., Sobieski, from 4-7 p.m. Monday, April 6 th. The Parish Wake Service will take place at 7 p.m. The visitation continues at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 7 th at the church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Fr. Francis Nusi presiding. Burial will take place in St. John Cantius Cemetery. Please come in casual, comfortable attire. Stan would like that.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to St. Vincent Hospital 9 th Floor and 6 th Floor ICU staffs for going above and beyond in their compassionate care for Stan and his family.