John Alan Stansbury, age 75 of Clayton, Wisconsin, formerly of Hudson, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6, 2021 at his home. John was born on September 15, 1946 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Guy and Emma (Iverson) Stansbury. He graduated from Boyceville High School with the class of 1964 before serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. John was united in marriage to Angela Valeri on November 8, 1969, and the couple was blessed with two children, Julie and Joseph. Through example, John taught his children the value of hard work. He worked for over thirty years at the Ford plant in St. Paul, Minnesota, but often helped on a local farm after his shift at the plant was done. Upon returning home, his work continued with lawn care or one of the many other projects he was working on. John always knew of something that needed to be done. Tragedy struck the Stansbury family with daughter Julie’s death in 1990, and Angela’s death in 2008. John found comfort in being with others, and met Pauline Henke, who had also lost her spouse. John and Polly were married on April 10, 2010 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest Township, Wisconsin.

Though John was busy with work and projects, he always made time for his family, and especially enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren. He was fond of teaching his children, grandchildren, and frankly anyone else who would listen, about fishing, smoking meats, and any of the other skills he had vast knowledge on. Through conversation, John had the ability to make a friend everywhere he went, and he enjoyed spending the time to catchup with family and friends, often offering them a beer before doing so. John was a member of the Lions Club in Clayton and attended the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He loved a good cup of coffee, riding on an ATV or snowmobile, going camping and traveling, and spending time in his garden.

John will remain in the hearts of his wife, Pauline “Polly” Henke; son, Joseph (Shelly) Stansbury; step daughters, Donna (Chris) Ulrich, and Mary (Josh) Tapken; grandchildren, Tyler Huston, Lainie Porter-Stansbury, Dylan Hagedorn, Jaxson Stansbury, and Jordan and James Ulrich; brother, Thomas (Jackie) Stansbury; mother-in-law, Donna Gerhardt; sisters-in-law, Antoinette Stout, Rocky (friend Jan) Gerhardt, and Renee Gerhardt; brother-in-law, Peter (Nancy) Valeri; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Angela Stansbury; daughter, Julie Stansbury; his parents; step-father, Howard Buck; brother, David Stansbury; brother-in-law, Clyde Valeri; and sister-in-law, Lillian Valeri.

A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 13, 2021 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, WI. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. John’s family requests that masks are to be worn by all guests. Interment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Hudson.