Floyd H. Stahr

Floyd H. Stahr, 85, of Chappell, NE passed away Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Bryan LGH East Hospital in Lincoln, NE.


Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, October 17 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chappell, NE with Pastors Daniel Larson and Gary Rahe officiating. Burial will be in the Chappell Cemetery with military rites provided by the Chappell VFW Post #7002 and American Legion Post #217 with assistance from the Nebraska Army National Guard.


Visitations will be held at the Holechek Funeral Home on Sunday, October 16 from 1:00pm - 7:00pm (MDT) with the family present from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Memorials have been established.

Floyd Herman Stahr, the son of Herman and Anna (Wellman) Stahr, was born on November 17, 1925 on the family farm at Chappell, Nebraska. He attended grade school at District 17 and graduated from Deuel County High School in Chappell.


He was drafted into the army in February 1945, and took basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was in the last Calvary class that trained with horses before the division was disbanded. He was sent to the Philippines as a medic and then to Manila where he was Registrar of the 80th General Hospital. He was transferred to the 155th Hospital and discharged in August, 1946. His first job was parts man for Lloyd Rudel at International Harvester.


He married Catherine C. Lechman on August 22, 1948 and to this union seven children were born - Dianne, Betty, Patty, Daniel, Gregory, Arlene and Yvonne. All of their children graduated from Chappell High School and went on to the University of NE - Lincoln or Kearney State College.


After working at International Harvester, Floyd started his own hay and straw baling business until he won the election for Deuel County Sheriff and took office in 1963. He was re-elected 7 terms and certified through the Law Enforcement Training Center.


After becoming Sheriff, he was also the County Civil Defense Director, as well as the County Health Officer. He was a Volunteer Fireman for 27 years, and Assistant Fire Chief for 22 years. He was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS), the VFW and the American Legion, in which he was the current Commander of Post #217. He was a Cub Scout Master for 12 years and a charter member of the Jaycee's.


He was appointed to the Police Standards Advisory Council by Governor Norbert Tiemann in 1972, reappointed twice by Governor J.J. Exon and once by Governor Charles Thone. In this position, he was instrumental in the building of the new Law Enforcement Academy at Grand Island and was Chairman of the Board of the Association of County Officials. He is a Charter Member of the Nebraska Civil Defense Directors Association, serving as president of the Association in 1971. He was also President of the Nebraska Sheriff's Association in 1969 and was inducted into the Nebraska Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 1989. He coordinated County Wide Law Enforcement, the use of 911, and the Dare Program in Deuel County.

Floyd was a life long farmer and was still farming until his illness in May. His hobbies were woodworking, gardening, entertaining, fishing and maintaining one of the most elegant yards in Chappell.


Survivors include: his wife, Catherine, Brother-in-law Joseph Lechman of Chappell, Sisters-in Law Lucille Lechman of Englewood, CO, Mozelle Lechman of Elizabeth, CO, Ruth Lechman of Roseville, CA. Children (7): Dianne (Danny) Hartline of Kansas City, MO, Betty (Rich) O'Bannon of Lisco, NE, Patty (Eldon) Kelso of Omaha, NE, Dan (Georgia) Stahr of Malcolm, NE, Greg (Julie) Stahr of Lincoln, NE, Arlene (Reggie) Ansbach of Kansas City, MO, Yvonne (Jim) Benson of East Rochester, NY. Grandchildren (18): Heath (Natalee) Hartline, Casey Hartline, Jeffory (Megan) Rood, Christopher Rood, Anthony Rood, Matthew (Kim) Kelso, Nathan (Janelle) Kelso, Margeaux Stahr, Elke Stahr, Dane Stahr, Quinn Stahr, Adam (Kalee) Stahr, Stacie Ansbach, Matt (Lindsey) Ansbach, Mandy (Matt) Burmeister, Jackie Ansbach, Julia Benson, Elliott Benson. Great Grandchildren (15): Arielle, Koston, Jonas, Annabelle, Madeline, Addison, Ainsley, Baron, Madison, Makinley, Cara, Kylie, Alexis, Iszac, Tayleigh. Many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by two infant sons, his parents (Herman and Anna), five sisters and spouses: Hilda (John) Rahe, Florence (Ellis) Nelson, Gladys (Burnell) Flores, Mabel (Harold) Kreider, and Ruby Lechman, and one twin brother Lloyd (Angie) Stahr.


Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Chappell is serving the Stahr family.