July 28, 1944 – February 2, 2026_________________
Les Stadel took his final checkered flag on this earth Monday, February 2, 2026, with his family by his side. He was born to Jake and Margaret Stadel on July 28, 1944, in a farmhouse at Isabel and was raised in the Isabel and Firesteel areas.
He graduated from Isabel High School and went to the Automation Institute of Omaha, NE where he studied computer programming. School and book learning were not his forte, so if you ever asked Les where he got his education, he would tell you, “The School of Hard Knocks” and he was very proud of that. He worked at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology for a time.
Les purchased George’s Crankshaft in the late 1960’s not knowing one thing about building motors and became a self-taught machinist. In 1974 he merged with Johnson Machine, trading the value of his business for stock in the company. At that time there were 7 other stockholders - he and Bob Antior were the working partners where Les managed the machine shop and Bob managed the parts store. Les eventually bought out all of the original stockholders except for Rich Siekman, who was his partner until they sold the business in 2018.
Les raced stock cars for 33 years, mostly with his longtime partner and friend, John Howard. The Howard and Stadel Race Team accumulated 94 late model wins, 7 points championships at Black Hills Speedway, and 2 Late Model Nationals wins but he was proudest of the Sportsmanship Award he was given at Manzanita Speedway in Arizona.
No matter how many races he won, he stayed humble. He also enjoyed bowling and some golf, mostly because of the people he met through those sports.
Les married Diane Hulm in November of 1966. They later divorced. He married Mary Christmann on September 20, 1979. Les was so very proud of his two kids who both followed in his footsteps with racing. Mike and Tammy worked for their dad at NAPA starting in high school and they will be the first to tell you being the boss's kids did not come with any special privileges.
Les is survived by his wife Mary; son Mike; daughter Tammy; sisters Sue Pederson (Gary) of Firesteel and Marge Pahl (Jim) of Rapid City; brothers Jack Stadel of Cheyenne, WY and Mark Stadel (Brenda) of Springfield, IL; sister-in-law Sue Kautzman of Mesa, AZ; brother-inlaw Bruce Christmann (Lannette) of Kindred ND; and 22 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Margaret Stadel, inlaws Carl and Frances Christmann, brothers-in-law Bill Christmann and Carl Christmann, Jr., and sister-inlaw Nancy Bosch.
A memorial is being set up with Black Hills Men’s Bowling League and the Sunday Sweeper. If anyone would like to donate to their favorite charity in Les’s name, please feel free to do so.
Funeral arrangements are with Kirk Funeral Home.