Donald Craig Stolzenburg
Donald Craig Stolzenburg, age 71, entered into rest on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at his residence in Ames, Kansas. He was born on June 18, 1952, in Concordia, Kansas, to Loy Eldon and Ellen Faye (DeWitt) Stolzenburg.
Don attended school in Agenda while growing up, and he received his GED from the Nazareth Mother House and was very proud of this accomplishment.
Don’s first marriage was to Mary Joan Copple. He later married Lana Jo Breault, January 28, 1989, in Concordia, Kansas.
He was a member of the Victory Faith Church in Concordia. Don had recently celebrated his 37 years of sobriety which started in 1987. He took one day at a time and was very proud of his achievement.
Together with Lana they ministered over 350 foster children giving them love and care for over 30 years.
Don had a love for music all his life and played in his bands for many years throughout his life. He learned how to play music from his beloved father Eldon who played the steel guitar and watching and learning to play music by ear without sheet music. Don played in several of his bands and was lead vocal and lead guitar player for the Salt Creek Playboys (his first band), Driftwood, Pick and Stick, and Cripple Creek Bands. Don was a true musician and entertainer, having played at many venues throughout his career.
Don worked at Concordia Technologies, previously Alstom and Abrams. Don had a love for racing and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. His hobbies included working on transmissions and watching his work perform on various tracks over the years. He loved giving rides to the children in his handmade train and tractor he rebuilt. Don also loved tractor pulls, but most of all he loved spending time with his beloved family and friends. He was The Man, The Myth, and The Legend. Don will be forever missed.
Survivors include his wife Lana Stolzenburg of 35 years of the home in Ames, KS; daughter, Kellea (Mark) Smith, Minneapolis, KS; and their children, Jessica (Tyrel) Owens, Minneapolis, KS; Kassi (Scott) Jones, Salina, KS; Sheyanne (Alijah) Krier, Beloit, KS; Zachary (Lauren) Smith, Minneapolis, KS; daughter, Tonya (Greg) Deneault, Concordia, KS; and their children, Cody (Tabitha) Deneault, Belleville, KS; Brad (Darci) Deneault, Marysville, KS; Dalton (Autumn) Forshee, Aurora, KS; Isaiah (Patience) Deneault, Concordia, KS; Corporal Christian Hanson of the US Marine Corp., San Diego, CA; Jena Hanson, Concordia, KS; Brantlee Deneault, Concordia, KS; Ryker Deneault, Concordia, KS; son, Devin Stolzenburg, Clyde, KS; daughter, Tristan (Matthew) Istas, Clyde, KS; and their children, Stella, Helen and Dawson Istas; daughter, Sabrina (Trenton) Willis, Clyde, KS; and their children, Ramira Dyke, Ronan Willis and Remington Willis; daughter, Desiree Stolzenburg and her child La’Keeta Grann, Beaverton, AL; a grandchild, Julian Nulf and his adopted parents Jeremy and Megan Nulf all of Jewell, KS; and 14 great-grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jim Stolzenburg, sister-in-law, Mary Mar Stolzenburg.
Don’s wishes were to be cremated.
A visitation with family receiving friends will be held from 6-8 pm on Thursday evening, April 4, 2024, at the Victory Faith Church in Concordia.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at the Brown Grand Theatre, Concordia, Kansas with Pastors Ron Elsasser, Rick Barrett and Earl Hale officiating. Don’s family invites family and friends after the Celebration of Life Service to a luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Aurora.
The family suggests memorials to the Donald Stolzenburg memorial fund in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.