Stanley Cwikla
Stanley Edward Cwikla was born at home 10 miles east of Middle River, MN weighing 13 pounds on March 5, 1936. He passed away peacefully at home September 22, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents Stanley, Pauline and brother Phillip. He is survived by his wife, Charlene, his sons Gregory (wife Erin), Bradley, 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter who reside in the Phoenix area. He is also survived by his brothers Jerome (Mary Ann), David (Myrna), MN., Richard (Susan) ND., and sisters Ann Morrissey, MN., and Judith Godar, CA., sister-in-law Michelle Cwikla, CA.
Stan lived with his grandmother & his uncle Frank to attend elementary school for 2 years. After his parents bought a farm, he attended Shady Nook Elementary. He attended Middle River High School 1950-1954. The sports he played in high school were baseball, basketball, football, and track. He graduated valedictorian of his class. He enlisted in the army 1955-1957 and during that time he trained to be a surveyor in Alaska. In 1958, he went to work for General Mills doing experimental work. He became an Arthur Murray dance instructor and took many courses in salesmanship. In 1959, he started selling cookware door to door. From 1961-1963, he worked for Park Construction as a foreman using heavy equipment building roads, parks, etc.
In 1961 he met his wife, Charlene. They were married in Thief River Falls, MN in 1962. In 1963, he began a 17-year career in Miracle Maid cookware (Division of the West Bend Co.). During that time, he earned many trips to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, London and many exciting locations in the U.S.
He had lived in Anoka and Willmar, MN., Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, IA., Aberdeen, S.D. After Miracle Maid he tried many multilevel companies. In 1982, he bought Aberdeen Insulation Co. doing retrofit insulation.
He moved to Chandler, AZ in 1988 and started Flat Master Service, a sealant to minimize flats. He retired, then went back to work. 2002 he worked at Napa Auto Parts as a driver then inventory control. Stan retired in 2012 and moved to Gilbert, AZ. He later studied real estate investing and bought a few houses for rental. Stan traveled most of the U.S. He loved cruises (Alaska, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Balkans-Copenhagen, Germany, Estonia, St. Petersburg, Russia, Finland, Sweden. Caribbean-Bahamas, Saint Thomas, Saint Maartin, Asia-Hong Kong, Seoul, Korea, three ports in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore).
Stan and Charlene celebrated 61 years of marriage (1962-2023).
The family sends a very heartfelt thank you to all of the Noble Hospice providers that helped in his final time with us.
Stan’s Celebration of Life will be on March 3, 2024 in Gilbert, AZ.
Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral. com.