Stan G. Thurston
December 24, 2020
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Service Details
Stan G. Thurston, 74, passed away peacefully and gently on December 24, 2020 due to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was the son of Orville and Jean Thurston; brother to Dr. Gary Thurston, Dr. Paul Thurston and Dr. Lloyd Thurston; husband to Dotty Thurston and bonus father to Kelly, Abby and Molly.
He was born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa, graduating from Marshalltown High School in 1964. He received an Engineering Degree in Architecture from Iowa State University in 1969. Upon graduation, Stan enlisted in the U.S. Army and served our country as a Military Policeman in Vietnam and New Orleans. Stan received the Bronze Star during his enlistment. Returning home, he continued his education and received a Master of Business Degree from Harvard University in 1974.
Stan moved to Toronto, Canada and worked for a large construction company, Cadillac-Fairview, for 3 years, designing and building high-rises and gated communities. While in Canada, he continued his connection with Harvard and became a visiting Instructor for them, teaching City and Urban Planning classes.
Longing to return to the Midwest, Stan then accepted a job with the Weitz Company in Des Moines as a Project Manager for their Senior Living division known as Life Care Services. Working through the ranks, he eventually became President and CEO. In 1995, Life Care Services became its own entity splitting off from the Weitz Company. Stan continued to lead Life Care Services as President and CEO until he retired in 2006 after nearly 30 years. He loved his job and the people he worked with and he felt blessed for having such a fulfilling career. In 2018, he was one of the first to be inducted into the “Hall of Fame” of ASHA, American Seniors Housing Association, for his life-time achievements and dedication to senior living.
Through the years, Stan volunteered in areas that touched him personally. A life-long supporter of his fraternity at Iowa State, Alpha Sigma Phi, he served as Grand Senior President on their national board as well as other numerous rolls and committees. He was also highly involved with the local chapter including a rechartering and purchasing of a fraternity house in 1997 on the Ames campus; in recognition of his involvement, they named the home “Thurston Manor”. He believed in his brotherhood and through mentoring, worked to change the lives of young men. He also served on the Advisory Board at Iowa State for the College of Design. Stan sponsored a Professorship for the Design-Build Department. He was presented with the coveted “Christian Petersen Design Award” in 2017 from the College of Design. Additionally, ISU awarded him “Alumni Merit Award” also in 2017.
Stan was also involved with the local Alzheimer’s board starting in 2006, as well as serving on the National Alzheimer’s board in Chicago in 2016-2018. Having a family history of the disease, he was honored to be a part of both. He supported the opening of 2 new offices in rural Iowa so others would have access to services. Besides accessibility of services, he also supported the education, awareness and research of the dis-ease. Stan himself was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015.
Other interests of Stan included serving on the board of the Nature Conservancy and, along with several friends, started a church in the metro area called LifeQuest Ministries and served as their first Board President. Additionally, for more than 25 years, he played basketball on a Park & Rec league with friends and family.
Stan was a gentleman. He showed a quiet, active interest in the people he loved, expressing how he cared in very deliberate ways. He had a great sense of humor. He wasn’t quick to laugh but when he did, it was robust. He had a warm demeanor and was kind and generous. Professionally, Stan was known for his strategic leadership, his strong work ethic and his unquestionable character. Most importantly, Stan was a man of faith and for those he touched, his light will remain.
Stan is survived by his wife, Dotty; daughters, Kelly Whiting, Abby (Peter) Goodman, and Molly (David) Harris; and 5 grandsons, Parker and Quentin Whiting, Jackson, Hayden and Logan Harris. His brother, Lloyd (Allison) Thurston; sister-in-law, Cathy (Paul) Thurston; mother-in-law, Carolyn Jones; brothers-in-law, Bryan (Denise) Jones, Bill (Robin) Jones and Bob (Amy) Jones; 5 nieces and 16 nephews, their spouses and their children. Stan was preceded in death by his parents and two older brothers, Gary and Paul.
We are grateful and we want to thank those who helped us during this journey. Care partner Shelli Manna; Hospice Nurse Patty Nance; Dr. Yogesh Shah and Dr. Robert Bender from Broadlawns Medical Center; Carol Sipfle, the wonderful caring staff at Luther Park Trinity Center; our family and our friends. Thank you for holding our hands.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Wakonda Club, 3915 Fleur Drive in Des Moines, IA. A reception will follow.
To honor Stan, memorials can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1730 28th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
Danny L. Welch
03/25/2021
I learned today of Stan's passing. He and I served together in the 188th MP Co. at Camp David Land, Danang, Republic of Vietnam 1970-71. Stan was a dedicated Army MP and a good friend to me. We worked together nearly every day of the last 7 months of my tour in Vietnam. In closing, I'd like to add, "From one old Vietnam Vet to another, I salute you for your service."
Briana Howard
01/15/2021
stan was a dear friend of my father, dennis howard. i grew up hearing his name and reading his christmas cards. though i never met stan, i always knew by the way my parents spoke about him that he must have been a great man. he did a play called "the nerd" in clear lake with my parents years ago and they remained in some contact. im so sorry to hear of his illness and passing.
Kristy R. Barzen
12/31/2020
Dotty, I am thinking of you during this time of loss. I can only imagine how hard the road has been.
I am in 100+Women with you and look forward to seeing you there again.
Joe Kerr
12/29/2020
Dear Thurston Family I was a fraternity brother of Stans in the late 60s and quickly came to admire Stans leadership and exemplary character. I was honored to have Stan serve as a groomsman at my wedding. In the time since our college years, Stan not only achieved outstanding success in his career, but he was extremely generous with his time, talents, and treasures with Iowa State University, Alpha Sigma Phi, and the many other organizations that were important to him. He was a friend and mentor to many people, including many young Alpha Sigs during their college years, and to the people that he worked with at Life Care Services. All of us who knew Stan were better men because of his influence on our lives. It was an honor for me to call him a Brother and a friend.
Bill Pickhardt
12/29/2020
Dottie and family, my prayers and heart felt condolences. Stan was an incredible leader and mentor. i recall my first board meeting at Life Care Service and I was a little intimidated. Stan was at the board table and offered me the seat next to him. He was authentic and a gentleman. I am sure the journey of the last few years was difficult. please know he was greeted with fanfare in heaven. my prayers for your comfort during this difficult time.
Earl Fitz
12/29/2020
Dear Thurston family,
Please accept our condolences at Stan's passing. I knew, and liked, Stan in High School, but it wasn't until college and the years after, that we became good friends. I always admired Stan. He was a fine person, and he will be missed. Our sympathies to all of you.
Earl Fitz
F. Anthony
12/28/2020
Dear Thurston Family, Please accept my condolences. Several decades have passed since I was in the presence of Mr. Thurston. However, I continue to have warm memories of him and his leadership. Please know, when someone we love becomes a memory, their memory becomes our treasure.
Jay Anzelmo
12/28/2020
Mrs. Thurston and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. As an Alpha Sig at Iowa State in the 80's, Stan was a great mentor and advisor to our Chapter and its young men over the years; teaching us leadership and commitment. We will pray for you during this difficult time.
Dr Yogi Shah
12/28/2020
Dotty, It was my honor and privilege to take care of Stan, He was always calm, funny and gentle.
You have been one of the best caregivers I have worked with and have learned a lot from both of you.
KEVIN POKORNY
12/28/2020
My heart goes out to you, Dotty. It was a gift to know Stan all the years I partnered with LCS. He always gave me time to talk with him, and he gave me respect. I'm so grateful to have known him. Blessings to you.
Lisé Everly
12/27/2020
Dottie, I am so sorry to hear of Stan's passing. it was such an honor to work with him at LCS, he was a man of great intelligence, compassion, and humor, with a deep commitment to both clients and employees. He made a difference in the lives of so very many, and I will always be grateful for my time working with him.