Whitewater - Stanley Rankin Roth, 78, lifelong resident of
Whitewater, Kansas, peacefully entered into his eternal home on January 22,
2022, surrounded by family and the love of his life for over 60 years, Marcia
Roth. Stanley, the eldest of six siblings, was born to Robert T. (Bob) &
Alma M. (Brockway) Roth on August 3, 1943, in Newton, KS.
Stanley attended Whitewater High School ('62) where he
excelled in athletics. He held nine school records in track and was known to be
one of the fastest runners in the state of Kansas. The speed he held in track
also played out well on the football field causing opposing coaches to stay up
late trying to figure out how they could stop #20!
High school was also where he met the love of his life,
Marcia Peterson, and on December 27, 1963, they married and began the
celebration that would faithfully endure for over 58 years. For most of their
married life, Marcia & Stanley had a huge (and I do mean HUGE) garden. They
enjoyed spending time together in the garden and sharing that bounty with
family and friends. Stanley was a hard worker. He began his career at the
Whitewater Flour Mill and worked there for several years before he went to work
with his dad building homes. He could do or build just about anything ? a gift
he inherited from his father. Stanley spent many years in the home-building
business beside his father, developing and honing his talents. He took great
pride in using his gifts to ensure that business facility operations ran
smoothly, and in 1984 he became head of Facilities at Wheat State Manor nursing
home, doing just that; retiring from Wheat State Manor after 21 years.
But more than his unique gifts, talents and abilities,
Stanley will be best remembered for the way he made everyone he came in contact
with feel special. Stanley never had an unkind word to say about anyone and it
wasn't possible to be around him without walking away with a smile on your
face. He had a laugh that was contagious and his quiet, unassuming, and genuine
personality made everyone he touched completely comfortable and joyful in his
presence. Stanley's impact on others could be measured by a million, little,
behind the scenes stories that few know about. Once such story is how one of
the residents at Wheat State Manor had a precious, porcelain, cat fall off her
dresser and break into many pieces. Most people would have just swept it up and
threw it away. No, not Stanley. Stanley glued it all back together to present
back to her. You could hardly tell it had ever been broken and this token of
kindness meant the world to her. He was just like that. His family and friends
were proud to call him husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother
and friend and the lasting impact he left on those who knew and loved him
cannot be measured.
Marcia and Stanley were blessed with three children, Robert,
Allison, and Jason. Stanley loved his family wholeheartedly and demonstrated
that daily with his kind, compassionate, loving, committed, and dependable
ways. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were completely drawn to him
and loved him dearly.
Stanley was greeted in heaven by his father and mother, Bob
& Alma Roth, and his sister, Marilyn McEwin. And until they meet again,
Stanley is survived by his wife, Marcia J. Roth; son, Robert Roth (Monica) of
Elbing, KS; daughter, Allison Lorson (Jon) of Glenwood, IA; and son, Jason Roth
of Whitewater, KS; four grandchildren: Bryce Roth (Samantha), Ben Roth
(Marina), Ian Lorson and Avery Lorson, as well as two great-grandchildren:
Elise Roth and Lawson Stanley Roth. Stanley also precedes his siblings: Larry
Roth (Linda) of Wichita, Gary Roth (Janet) of North Newton, Janice Miller of
Strong City, Ken Roth (Cindy) of Wichita, and Patti Warren of El Dorado, as
well as numerous other extended family and friends.
Sometimes, life can take us down a path that can both
surprise and bless. This happened for Stanley and his siblings late in life
when they discovered they had one full and two half-siblings! Dennis Dodson
(Pam), Carolyn Wilson (Harry) and Marilyn McEwin (deceased) were joyfully
integrated and welcomed into the family. What a blessing it was for Stanley to
be able to spend time with two of his new-found siblings prior to his passing.
A private graveside service will be held for the family at
the Whitewater Cemetery on January 29, 2022, with a come and go Celebration of
Life Service to follow for family and friends at Grace Hill Winery in
Whitewater, KS, from 2-4pm. Memorials have been established at Wheat State
Manor Nursing Home in Whitewater, KS, and with Jack Van Impe Ministries. All
donations may be sent directly to Lamb Funeral Home at P.O. Box 358, Whitewater,
KS 67154, in memory of Stanley Roth. Please sign his online guest book and
leave a memory of Stanley at www.yazelmeglifh.com
