Mary Anne Stanke

Mary Anne (Seiler) Stanke was born on 10/23/1931 on the family farm outside of Marshall, MN, to Louis R. and Anna Dora (Bengston) Seiler. She was the oldest of 3 daughters.

Mary Anne attended country school and graduated from Marshall HS, Class of 49. After graduation she went to work as an operator for NW Bell Telephone. She married Robert "Bob" Stanke on 9/25/50. Together, they had 3 children - (Mary) Kay Daugaard, Lone Tree, CO; Craig, Pahrump, NV, and Curt(Renes), Bailey, CO. In addition to her children, she is also survived by 4 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and 13 nieces and nephews, and her dog Piper. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents and 2 younger sisters, Nancy Sando and Audrey Sik.

Mary Anne had a long career with NW Bell Telephone starting as an operator in Marshall, MN. She and Bob moved to Sioux Falls, SD, in 1954, and Mary Anne rejoined NW Bell as a service representative. In Sioux Falls, she was a service rep, a service rep quality observer, Business Office Supervisor, Business Office Trainer for the NW Bell states, and retired 12/31/1983 as a NW Bell Staff Manager- Rates and Tariffs.

After retirement, Mary Anne and Bob moved to their summer home on Lake Amelia outside of Villard, MN. They also built a home in Mesa, AZ, and lived there in the winter months. In 2008, they sold the lake home and moved to Mesa permanently. Mary Anne was always involved in her church. She was a member of the Baptist Church in Sioux Falls, SD, Dell Rapids, SD, and Villard, MN, and the East Mesa Christian Church, Mesa, AZ, where she was active in the women's group and named CWF Laywoman of the Year in 1998.

Mary Anne was an avid gardener and loved to knit and crochet and even enjoyed golfing with her husband on Sunday afternoons. The trip from MN to AZ and back was always the time that she made another afgan or sweater that she gave to family and friends. She and Bob enjoyed dancing, playing cards, music (she played the washboard and Bob played the washtub in the Chicken Pickers Band in Sioux Falls) and having coffee with friends.

A memorial service will be held in the Dixon Chapel at Cherry Hills Community Church, Highlands Ranch on Monday 7/31/2026 at 1pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Anne's memory can be sent to Optimal Hospice Care, 4380 S Syracuse St, Suite 455, Denver, CO 80237, or Cherry Hills Community Church, 3900 Grace Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126.