Stanley Robert "Stan" Wilhelmson

1943 - 2024

Stanley Robert "Stan" Wilhelmson, 80, of North Platte peacefully passed away with his family at his side on April 19, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Stan, the son of Eldred and Odalite Wilhelmson, was born on May 16, 1943, in North Platte, where he was raised. He worked with his brother and dad on the farm south of town and graduated from North Platte High School in 1962. In 1964, Stan was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for basic training. In August 1965, he was shipped to Vietnam and served in the 110th Air Weapons Company, 1st Cavalry Division as an ammunition storage specialist. Due to a combat injury he received in Vietnam, Stan spent 18 months at Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver recovering from his injuries. He retired from the Army in 1967 and received a Purple Heart, among other service medals. The day before he was drafted, Stan put a ring on his sweetheart's finger and promised he'd return. On Aug. 18, 1968, Stan married Sally Sue Sagesser in North Platte. They raised two children, Adam and Holly, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Stan was employed at the Fairmont Dairy for a few years before being hired by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1979 where he worked as a clerk. After 29 years, he retired and worked at the Lake Maloney Golf Course until the Fall of 2023. Over the years, Stan was a member of the Eagles, the Moose, the American Legion and the First United Methodist Church. He loved being around people and often greeted them with a punch or vice-grip handshake, all in fun! And if you knew him, you knew Stan loved his grandkids, football games, family activities, meeting his friends for coffee every morning and all things golf. He had the kindest heart and was always finding ways to help others. He appreciated the simple things in life and never took a day for granted. Stan was a fighter and fought until his last breath at the hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his brother, Ed; brothers-in-law, Don Stenger and Larry Twidwell; and parents-in-law, Fred and Ila Fae Sagesser. Stan leaves behind his loving wife, Sally; their children, Adam (Julie) of McCook and Holly (Jason) Hartman of Lincoln; grandkids, Jacie and Josie Hartman and Emma, Grace and Kaden Wilhelmson; his sisters, Loretta Stenger of North Platte and Willa Twidwell of Colorado Springs; sister-in-law, Betty (Les) Cornish of Grand Island; and other family members. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Service is at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 25, at Odean Colonial Chapel. Feel free to come in casual clothes. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with family present 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, April 24, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.