In lieu of gifts and flowers please direct memorials to the family for a cause to be decided at a later date. Please send to Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument, C/O Ethel Krosch, P. O. Box 336, Kingsley, IA 51028.

Stanley Merwin Krosch, age 88 years and 12 days of Kingsley, IA passed away Monday, September 14, 2026, at his home in Kingsley surrounded by family.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Kingsley United Methodist Church in Kingsley with Pastor Ken Kraft officiating. Lunch will be served immediately following at the Kingsley Community Center. Private burial will be at the Kingsley Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument in Kingsley. Visitation will resume at 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Friday at the church. Services have been entrusted to Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument in Kingsley, IA. www.kingsleyfh.com

Stan was born on September 2, 1938, at his home in Elmore, Minnesota. The son of Pete and Frances Catherine (Fenske) Krosch, he grew up with three brothers, scampering through the forests and fields along the banks of the Middle Branch of the Blue Earth River, on the same land that his ancestors settled in 1862.

Stan attended country school in Faribault County and graduated from Elmore High School in 1956 as the class president. As the class motto proudly proclaimed: “Tough as nails. Hard as bricks. We’re the class of ’56.” He later graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Science Education.

After teaching for one year at Deep River-Millersburg, Stan moved to Kingsley, Iowa in the fall of 1963 where he taught generations of families in the Kingsley-Pierson School District. Stan was a part of the Original Greats of the teachers of the time including Ed Coughenour, Darwin DeVries, Cash Howe, and his brother Rich. Together with Cash, they founded K-P’s Industrial Technology program and developed it into one that earned many students scholarships and practical lifelong skills.

Mr. Krosch may have been known for offering extra credit in exchange for a Snickers bar or two. He was often seen standing guard outside his classroom, coffee cup in hand, supervising the hallways where he frequently overheard students discussing mischievous activities, obtaining confessions and witnessing the occasional incendiary incident. He was universally respected for his even temper, wisdom, fairness to all and legendary one-liners.

In 1967, Stan met Ethel Leekley at the Plymouth County Fair while standing in front of a gigantic Holstein steer. The very next year, on June 1, they were married in the United Methodist Church in Akron, Iowa. Soon afterward, they welcomed their children: Valerie Kay (1970), Jason Stanley (1972) and Kimberly Lynn (1973).

In addition to teaching, Stan coached a variety of sports, including football, golf, and softball. He also notably helped start the Kingsley-Pierson wrestling program in the fall of 1965 alongside his devoted and loyal brother, Rich. The two split their inaugural coaching salary of $100 right down the middle. Highlights of his coaching career include leading the wrestling team to a third-place state finish in 1980 and, years later, watching his grandson become a state champion in 2019.

Stan was a lifetime member of Brookside Golf Course, where many of the trees standing today were transplanted there from Stan and Ethel’s farm. He also coached the 1987 boys’ State Championship golf team. Following retirement in 1996, he spent countless hours volunteering, playing cards and golfing in the Old Timers’ League throughout Northwest Iowa.

Stan instilled his love of nature in his family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing trips throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Idaho, Newfoundland, and Ontario with his son and son-in-law.

A longtime member of the Kingsley Methodist church, he served on the Administrative Board, frequently ushered during services and faithfully participated in the church’s famous peanut brittle fundraiser.

Adored by all who knew him, Stan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ethel; his children, Valerie (Bill) Sitzmann, Jason Krosch, and Kimberly (Brent) Rieck; his grandchildren, Adam Sitzmann (Grace), Jaylin Berry (Lance), Abigail Harvey (Jacob), Kenna Berentschot (Cullen), Kyler Rieck (Taylor Prahl), and Sophia Krosch; and his great-grandchildren, Ryder, Steele, Jolie, and Zachary.

He is also survived by his brothers, Sherwood (Cindy) Krosch and Rich (Cheri) Krosch; and his sisters-in-law, Polly Smith and Leola Muller.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Howard (Penny) Krosch; and his in-laws, Dale (Corrine) Leekley, Buzz (Virginia) Leekley, Thea Leekley, and Joe Smith.

Casket bearers will be Jerry Ahrens, Josh Bolton, Lance Howe (In honor of Cash), Riley McDermott, Rick Schweitzberger, Ryan Schweitzberger, Fran Uhl and Dennis Wachter.

Honorary bearers will be Adam & Grace Sitzmann, Jaylin & Lance Berry, Abby & Jacob Harvey, Kenna & Cullen Berentschot, Kyler Rieck, Taylor Prahl & Sophia Krosch.