Stanley Lilleberg

Stan Lilleberg, 75, of Atwater, fell asleep in Jesus on Tuesday, August 29th at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar. He battled symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) for the past 10 years. The funeral will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 2nd at St. John Lutheran Church in Atwater. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Friday at the church, during which supper will be served. The visitation will continue at 1:00 pm on Saturday, prior to the funeral. A private interment will be at the church cemetery.

Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar (www.hafh.org).

The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Prairie Senior Cottages and to CentraCare Hospice for their kind and loving care.  Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church, 19903 56th Ave NE, Atwater, MN 56209 or Rock Steady Boxing, 6847 Hillsdale Court, Indianapolis, IN 46250, www.rocksteadyboxing.org.

Stanley Glenn Lilleberg was born on October 15, 1947, in Willmar, the son of Bernie and Lucille (Denton) Lilleberg. He grew up on the family farm in Atwater, attending St. John Lutheran School through eighth grade and graduating from Atwater Public School in 1965.  He continued his education at Concordia College, St. Paul, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Education.  While still in college, he was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Miller on August 10, 1968.  Following college, he went on to teach kindergarten/first grade in the St. Paul School District and was named Teacher of the Year in 1971.

Stan and Barb returned to Atwater to raise their family in 1971, where he farmed with his father and brother, starting with just 50 head of Holstein dairy cattle and 180 acres. Stan was a progressive farmer establishing Roklane Farms and he was a pioneer in groundbreaking genetics and embryo transfer breeding. The pinnacle of this breeding program resulted in a bull stud at American Breeders Service (ABS), named Rok. Stan’s vision and innovation helped expand the farm to an operation of 6000 acres, which he ran with his sons Nick and Erik. He was very proud when Lilleberg Farms was named University of Minnesota Farm Family of the Year in 2016.

Stan was a strong leader who lived his life with integrity. He was a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church and served in various offices. He was elected to the board of directors of several banks and was an owner of Granite Community Bank.  He served on the board for both ACGC Schools and West Central Mutual Insurance Company.

Those who knew Stan appreciated him as a master conversationalist who thrived on creating relationships with everyone. He was gifted in his ability to make all who met him feel special. He also enjoyed watching and participating in all types of sports, playing weekly morning basketball and fast-pitch softball well into his 60’s. He loved hunting, eating great food and playing cards with his favorite people. Stan and Barb traveled the country on their Harley and convertible Mustang, reaching their goal of visiting all 50 state capitals.  

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Barb; children: Kerri (Luis) Vela of Knoxville, TN, Erik (Jeanna) Lilleberg of Atwater, daughter-in-law Kristi Lilleberg-Barber (Matthew Barber) of Atwater, Matt (Tricia) Lilleberg of Spicer; grandchildren: Russell, Angelique and Christian Vela; Lucas (Kelsey), Nicole and Hannah Lilleberg; Levi, Jillien and Prestan Lilleberg; Amelia and Lochlan Lilleberg; three great-grandchildren; brothers: Jim (Marylee) Lilleberg and Jon (Andrea) Lilleberg and brother-in-law, Brian Kohn.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Barbara Kohn and Terri (in infancy), son, Nickolas, in 2016, and grandson, Ethan, in 2022.

Stan will be a man remembered for his strong faith, deep love of family and friends, and passions for farming, finances and fun!

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.