Stanley “Stan” L. Gordon age 84 of Woodbury/Walnut Grove, MN, formerly of St. Anthony, MN passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 6, 2024. A Celebration of Life service will be held July 25, 2024, at 11:00 at Nativity Lutheran Church, 3312 Silver Lake Rd NE, St. Anthony, MN with visitation 1 hour prior. Services are streamed at NativityChurch.org. Private interment will be at Hillside Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Nativity Lutheran Church, Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum – Walnut Grove, MN, or the donor’s favorite charity. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Stan was born December 8, 1939, in Windom, MN to Harold and Della Gordon. In 1947, the family purchased a farm near Walnut Grove, MN. Later they learned the farm was a childhood home of children’s author Laura Ingalls Wilder, which she described in her book “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” That discovery began a continuing family commitment to preserve and maintain access to the site of her dugout home for the benefit of the many Wilder fans who visit the historic property. Stan was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1957. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in June 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He received the Chemistry Faculty award for earning the highest GPA of all graduating chemists and chemical engineers that year. Receiving that award had a profound impact on him throughout his career validating his love of learning and use of technology allowing him to pursue and solve “hard problems.” Afterwards, he attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1963. Later he earned a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Minnesota in 1978. He began his career as a Research Chemical Engineer with General Mills Chemicals which later joined with Henkel Corporation of Germany. When Henkel closed its Minneapolis facility in 1986, Stan chose not to relocate, but instead formed his own consulting practice specializing in chemical process development and later financial systems. In 1996, Stan semi-retired and enjoyed summers with Hazelle on the farm. He restored the prairies surrounding the dugout site and enhanced the visitor experience. He volunteered countless hours at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum helping to expand the exhibits including designing and building a dugout replica. He finally fully retired in 2018.

Stan is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Hazelle; children: Lee Gordon and Kristine (Kevin) Klotzbach; and granddaughter Emma Klotzbach.