Henry William Stacken

1929 - 2023

Henry W. Stacken, age 94 of Waconia, formally Chaska and Eden Valley, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Auburn Homes Waconia.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 22, 2023, 11:00 AM with family receiving friends 9:30 - 10:45 AM all at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 218 W. 2nd St., Chaska. The inurnment will be at Guardian Angels Catholic Cemetery, Chaska.

Henry William Stacken was born on April 4, 1929, on the family farm in Laketown Township, MN. His parents were Henry and Hedwig (Pierson) Stacken. He was the sixth of fifteen children. Henry was baptized and later confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Waconia, MN. Henry learned the value of hard work at a young age. From helping his dad in the fields, to raising and selling tomatoes with his sister Margaret to sell to the canary in Chaska, to assisting neighbors with their harvest, he strove to do his very best. After completing the eighth grade, Henry was sent out to neighboring farms to assist with their daily operations. He said in later years that being away from home was hard at times, but he was proud to bring home his wages to his father and mother to help support their growing family. Henry carried that strong work ethic throughout his lifetime.

In 1951, Henry was drafted into the army. Upon completing basic training in Missouri, he was sent to South Korea. Here he served for eleven months, often on the front lines. He never spoke much of his experience in Korea except to say that he lost some good friends there. He was honorably discharged from the Army on May 10, 1953.

While in the service, through a family friend, he began some correspondence with a young nurse from Minneapolis. Her name was MaryAnn. It was the beginning of a love story that would last over 68 years until her death in 2022. Once he returned home, several Sunday drives were made to Minneapolis. Ever the romantic, Henry proposed to MaryAnn while doing a sink full of dirty dishes after one of these Sunday dinners. Henry and MaryAnn were married in December 1953. And to this union, ten children were born. Henry and MaryAnn raised their family with a strong faith in God and love for one another. They lived in Mayer, Waconia, Chaska and Eden Valley throughout their marriage.

Henry was an engineer without a degree. He could fix just about anything. And if he couldn't fix it, he created something else that would work in its place. He was a jack of all trades. Henry was a farmer, a milk truck driver, a delivery man for the Victoria Lumber Company and a custodian for the Chaska School district. With such a large family to support, it seemed he was always working. But he never complained and always found time to be a dad. He built a playhouse for his daughters. He taught his sons how to putz in the garage and fix things. He took the family to the Sandy Beach Resort for vacation. Henry left most of the disciplining up to MaryAnn. However, occasionally the famous words of "must I help you" were muttered and all was quickly restored to normal.

In 1991, Henry and MaryAnn retired to their lake home in Eden Valley, MN. He enjoyed fishing, puttering in the yard and garage, hosting family and friends and bus trips with MaryAnn and other family members. One such trip took them to Washington DC in 2018 to see the Korean War Memorial. His brother Harold laid the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was one of their most memorable trips and they were very proud of their service.

In 2005, Henry and MaryAnn returned to Chaska. Henry continued to enjoy his family and friends, walking to church and the park for concerts, bus trips, and entertaining his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a faithful member of Guardian Angels Church, the Chaska VFW and Chaska Legion. In March of 2020, Henry and MaryAnn moved to Auburn Meadows Assisted Living in Waconia where he lived out his final days.

Henry is survived by his children: Terri (Frank) Burmis, Deb (Maggie) Stacken, Lisa (Bryan) Litsey, Rita Fischer, Dan (Tracy) Stacken, Patricia McIntosh, Sandra (Mike) Baranick, Amy (Paul) Meger, Brenda Stacken, Ken (Becky) Stacken; grandchildren: Nathan (Kelsey) Stacken, Ryan Stacken, Jeremya (Justine) DesLauriers, Zach (Shyla) DesLauriers, Frank (Jasmine) Burmis, Jake (Elli) Burmis, Abby Burmis, Kaitlin Meger, Matthew Meger, Joshua Litsey, Brandon (Emily) Stacken, Aaron (Caitlin) Stacken, Justin Stacken, Emma Stacken; great-grandchildren: Noah, Jason, Jaxon, Jennavieve, Audrey, Adelynn; brothers: Art and Paul (Pat) Stacken; sisters: Sister Stella Stacken, Darlene (Harry) Matti, Joann (Giles) Lenzmeier, Lucy Lucy; sisters-in-law: Betty Stacken and Adeline Stacken; other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by: wife, MaryAnn; parents: Henry and Hedwig Stacken; sons-in-law: Patrick McIntosh and Daniel Fischer; brothers: Roman, Cyril, Edward, Charlie, Harold, Joe and baby James; sister, Margaret Willems.

Henry's family would like to thank the staff of Auburn Meadows, Auburn Homes and Ridgeview Hospice for their gentle and dedicated care. Funeral Arrangements are with the Bertas Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Chaska, MN.