April 26, 1931 – Monday, September 22, 2014
Service Information
Zion Lutheran Church Buffalo, MN
Tuesday, September 30th 2014
10:30 AM
Visitation Information
None
Following a year at Quiet Oaks Hospice House struggling with the effects of Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Stanley E. Held of Buffalo, MN, age 83, passed away Monday September 22, 2014.
Stanley was born April 26, 1931 at Methodist Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa, the youngest son of George Edward Held and Agnes Mary Eyres Held. In 1949 he entered Iowa State University where in 1953 he received his Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1957. He was a member of the Iowa State University livestock judging team, and is an alumnus of FarmHouse fraternity. Stan married Betty Jane Taylor in 1950 and they had two daughters, Barbara and Debra.
Following graduation, Stan and his family moved to Maple Plain, Minnesota where he served on the field services clinic staff of the University Of Minnesota College Of Veterinary Medicine. In 1962, he purchased a private practice in Buffalo, Minnesota where he practiced with the help of his family until retirement in 1996. At the time of retirement, his practice had grown to include seven veterinarians within the Buffalo Veterinary Clinic.
Stan was active in organized veterinary medicine, having served as president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association in 1972 and was on numerous boards and committees in that association. He served for 6 years on the executive board of the American Veterinary Medical Association and represented Minnesota and Iowa. In 1991, he was inducted into the National Academies of Practice, an interdisciplinary organization promoting cooperation between all health professions.
A member of the Minnetonka Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America since 1973, he sang bass in the “Western Union” performing quartet for over 15 years, and part of Minnetonka Clippers Barbershop Chorus.
Stan was a member of two Western trail riding organizations; the Caballeros del Norte of Minnesota and the Desert Caballeros of Wickenburg, Arizona. In 1999 he was asked by Mercy Corps International and the United States Agency for International Development to provide voluntary consultation to the newly privatized practicing veterinarians in Mongolia, and spent the month of November 1999 in that country presenting seminars on the business side of private practice.
He will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor, work ethic, and keen sense of professionalism.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Quiet Oaks for their exceptional care of Stan during his stay. In lieu of flowers they are asking for donations to the Quiet Oaks’ “Pay It Forward” account in Stan’s name; funds that would provide hospice house services to those who need financial assistance. Alternately, donations can be made to Crossroads Animal Shelter at 2800 10th Street SE, Buffalo, MN.
He is preceded in death by his brother Thomas Held; wife Betty Held (nee Taylor); and wife Suzy Held (nee Fish).
He is survived by his loving wife Shelley Held; daughters Barbara Held Taylor and Debra Held Fant; grandchildren Nil Tous Held, Katherine Kauffman, David Kauffman; sister Katherine Held Shores; and extended family Lynn Stoltzmann and daughter Rachel Stoltzmann; Renee Whitehead (Scott) and children Jenna, Quinn and Cal Whitehead; Dan Bruchmann (Karla) and children Kole, Klara and Daniel Lou Bruchmann; Lora Isaacson (Adam) and child Ella Isaacson; Glen Bruchmann (Brianne); cousins, nieces and nephews who love him.
Honorary pall bearers will be Lester Young, David Kauffman, Nil Tous Held, Glen Bruchmann, Scott Whitehead.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church at 1200 Highway 25 S, Buffalo, MN 55313. Lunch will be served following the service.
Private family interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery
Stan was a dedicated doctor-even to the point of dispensing meds on Christmas Eve for half-dead animals. He was a great joke teller and a great person to call a friend.
My heart, love, and caring go out to Lynn, Rachel,and whole family of this special man.
I was deeply saddened by the news of Stan’s passing.
Having started to volunteer just under a year ago at Quiet Oaks Hospice I can say that Stan was a delight to work with & Shelly always a welcoming face.
Stan’s social graces never left him. I want to share an interaction that I had with him just a week ago today that is the epitome of that: Stan was having a difficult time getting some food on his fork. I was sitting next to him and he said to me with a smile, “Since you are so well acquainted with this dish, do you suppose you could help me get a piece of meat on my fork?”. I got a kick out of that. I’ll miss him. He was proud. He was kind. He was thoughtful. He was dignified.
My own life has been enriched simply by having known him for such a short amount of time.
God Bless your family in this difficult time.
Mary
A great Veterinarian and a great Human Being.
Stan was a great man and an important leader in Veterinary Medicine. He will be missed.
We grieve the loss of a gentle giant and man of honor in our profession. He touched our lives as he did all of those around him. Sincere sympathy to Stan’s family at this time of sorrow.
Gary and Shirley Johnston
I came to know Stan when he was elected to the AVMA Board of Executives. It was not long to know that Stan Held was one to tell it like it is & not be disagreeable if he disagreed. He did me many favors one of the most memorable occurred some 20 years ago by him going to St. Cloud, MN to render an opinion on a team tractor which I ultimately bought. Stan called with his opinion & was kind enough to put a down payment on it for me so that it would not be sold to another collector. Some weeks later when I got to MN, he & I went to St. Cloud to pick it up. It was a special honor for the two of us to have been friends.
Please accept our condolence and sympathy for the family. Stan stood as a pillar of ethical strength and I will miss him.
Condolences from Albertville, Alabama to Albertville, MN. Stan did so much voluntarily for his profession and the men and women who have benefited from his efforts owe him thanks. Thank you Stan.
Dr. Held touched the lives of so many in the veterinary profession…and we are all richer for knowing him!! My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
As a child, Dr. Held was our family veterinarian who showed the kindness and compassion that eventually lead me into the profession. His leadership in organized veterinary medicine guided me into that as well. He was a family friend, a mentor, a role model, and a warm, caring human being who enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know him. The world is a better place because of Dr. Held and he will be missed.
I’m sorry for your loss. I enjoyed serving on AVMA Council with Stan. 2b329
Great memories that will be cherished.
We will both miss you Stan. You & your family have been part of our lives since I graduated in 1966. You were my boss, colleague, mentor and friend. We will remember all the good times we had.
I’m so sorry I couldn’t be with you today. I have a new knee that’s not ready for walking or standing.
Stan was a blessing and a treat to have around. His endless supply of jokes was always a delight. Some for mixed company and some for just the guys when the ladies weren’t present! What a joy he was! He will be missed and I was fortunate to have known him!
Shelley and Held family;
I was saddened to hear of Stan’s passing. I will always remember him as my first-ever boss. He trusted me with a key to the clinic, which was a confidence boost for a shy fifteen year-old. He will be missed tremendously.
I am sorry for your loss and forever grateful for the guidance and support Dr. Held gave me. Sorry I couldn’t attend the services.
Thank you to all who have entered comments and appreciations here – Bonnie, your mom was my kindergarten teacher and dear to my heart so it’s great that my dad served you as a mentor as well! My best to you.
The men of the Iowa State Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity extend our deepest sympathy to you. We are proud of Mr. Held’s contributions to society.
Our condolences to the family. Esther Legg wrote me of Stan’s passing. He and I represented the “book ends” so to speak of the younger half of the 36 Held cousins. We made quite a group at family get togethes at the Home Place at 4th of July get togethers. With the families all so near each other, it was hardly necessary to gather on special occasions for daily contacts through school and other activities brought many of s together. We who survive must reluctantly say good bye.
Just learned of Stan’s passing – we had lost touch over the years since I worked for Stan and Betty Held at their vet clinic in Buffalo. Part pf my job was to assist Betty with ADLs since she suffered with a disability caused by polio contracted when their girls were small. I have nothing but fond memories of those times.