DAVID STANGLAND

David Stangland, age 71, of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away after a fierce battle with cancer that took his body, but never broke his spirit, Friday, July 8, 2022. He was surrounded by the love and prayers of his family and now is free and whole in Heaven.

He was born August 27, 1950, in Morris, IL, to loving parents, Gerald and Lois Stangland.

David grew up on his family farm in Newark, IL, and attended local schools. Every summer he showed Yorkshire pigs at many fairs and garnered numerous awards and ribbons to show for it. He graduated as one of 42 students from Newark High School with the class of 1968 where he was a member of the FFA.

He continued his education at Illinois State University and graduated with a degree in finance in 1972 before working at Aurora National Bank. He went on to receive his master’s degree at University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1984. He left as an executive vice president in 1989. In recent years, David dedicated himself to the banking rigors at Wells Fargo, creating a legacy before declining health brought him home into the care of his family.

David met Deborah Smith in 1986, after which he took himself off the market for good, and for good reason. Their two hearts became one on August 28, 1987, at St. Paul Church in Aurora, IL. They began their life together in Oswego. The growing family moved to Sugar Grove in 1998 and continued to make the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

He was the most positive person you could ever meet, and the in midst of his battle with cancer, he would greet you with a smile and tell you he was feeling great. David had a humble heart that was always grateful for the love and attention of his family, who were his greatest joy. David put the fan in fanatic and had an encyclopedic knowledge of every corner in the sports world. He may not remember your name or birthday, but he could wax poetic on the background of every player on the 1978 NCAA champion. He rooted feverously for his beloved Chicago Cubs and was thrilled when they won it all with cheers heard around the world. David loved to golf and battle the greens for the best shot, which as well manicured as they were, couldn’t hold a candle to his own yard affectionately known as “The Garden of Eden”. He loved to travel, especially to Palm Springs where many memories were made. Once you met David, it didn’t take but a moment to know that he was genuine to the core and that you found a friend for life. He will never be forgotten, and his legacy of memories will be cherished forevermore.

He leaves his loving wife of 34 years, Debbie Stangland; two children: Kari (Jeff) Harris and Keith (Lisa) Ulbrich; five grandchildren: Hannah, Mikayla, Annabelle, Max and Evelyn; one sister, Nancy Stallings and a large family of loving friends.

He now joins his parents, Gerald and Lois Stangland.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119, from 4-8 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday, July 14 at Helmar Lutheran Church, 11935 Lisbon Rd. Newark, IL, from 10-11 a.m., with a funeral service to celebrate his faith to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Helmar Lutheran Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The V Foundation, for cancer research at www.v.org. Memories and tributes can be left at the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.