Daily Sitka Sentinel

Service Set in Nebraska For Former Sitkan Scott Stahla

Scott E. Stahla

 

Former Sitkan Scott E. Stahla of Smithfield, Nebraska, died of cancer   on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Emerald Nursing and Rehab in Cozad, surrounded by his family. He was 51.

Scott was born May 29, 1969, at Kimball, Nebraska, to Edward A. and Kathy (Schwindt) Stahla. His family lived in Ketchikan at the time and had returned to Kimball for the funeral of Ed’s dad. After Scott’s birth they returned to Ketchikan.

In 1977, the family moved to Sitka, and Scott received his education from Sitka Public Schools, graduating from Sitka High in 1987.

Growing up in Sitka had its fair share of outdoor activities. Scott, spent his earlier years driving ATVs and boats, and harvesting some of Alaska’s natural resources. Once he graduated from high school Scott was falling timber, setting chokers, and hauling wood during remote logging operations in Southeast Alaska. 

The shipping industry wrapped up the majority of his final years in Alaska. He skillfully used cranes in all weather conditions to unload and load barges on the Bering Sea. After the adventures in the last frontier came to an end, Scott worked in Idaho building a home and then settled near Lexington to live closer to his parents, Ed and Kathy Stahla.

While living in the Lexington area, Scott worked for Todd Booth, remodeling homes and running machinery. Scott was a hard worker and took great pride in his craft and tools.

Scott leaves to celebrate his life his parents, Ed and Kathy of Smithfield; his children, Marissa C. (Derek) Fairbanks of Winston, Oregon, and Erik A. Stahla of Springfield, Oregon; two grandchildren, Carmen R. and Colin L. Fairbanks of Winston; a sister, Pamela Stahla (Michael) Kernin of Sitka; niece, Nichel Kernin (Chance) Allen of Unalaska; nephew, Alex Kernin of Sitka; and a great-nephew, Parker Allen of Unalaska.

Also surviving are aunts and uncles, Ron (Connie) Schwindt of Mesa, Arizona, Ron (Mary) Stahla of Lexington, Byron (Jeanne) Stahla of Plano, Texas, and Betty Kibby of Durango, Colorado; his dog, Romeo; and cousins, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Henrietta Schwindt and August and Sarah Stahla; his uncle, Jim Schwindt; aunt, Charlotte Schwindt; and cousin, Nicki Schwindt.

A celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Rock Stahla, a cousin, officiating. The service will be live streamed via the Reynolds Love Facebook page.

There will be no visitation, as the family is honoring Scott’s wish for cremation. Burial will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established in Scott’s honor, and kindly suggested to go to the Dawson County Relay For Life.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at reynoldslovefunerahome.com.