Junior (Bernel) Stankey, 78, of Bath passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.
A time for sharing memories and visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center, 414 5th Avenue NW in Aberdeen.
Bernel Harvey Stankey Jr., affectionately known as “Junior,” was born on August 30, 1946, to Bernel Sr. and Sophie (Frank) Stankey in Mobridge. He was raised in Firesteel, until moving to Isabel and attending school there.
Junior later attended trade school in Fargo, ND and, upon completion, moved to Aberdeen, where he met Ramona Buechler. They were united in marriage on March 9, 1968, in Timber Lake. The couple lived in Timber Lake for some time, then moved back to the Aberdeen area and later made their home on a farm north of Bath. They shared a beautiful August 30, 1946 – April 7, 2025
57-year marriage, and enjoyed living on the farm until a fire took their home in September 2024.
Junior was a handyman through and through, working at many different shops around the Aberdeen area, including Farm Power, Speedy’s Tire Shop, Farmer’s Service, and Ackerman’s Welding/Propane. Junior loved to tinker with projects, make furniture, and build things, and he especially loved tending to and riding his horses. Junior also did some dirt track racing and enjoyed his time as a pitman in his younger years. In his free time, Junior enjoyed watching basketball with his wife and listening to country music, and he has probably seen all the Western shows 20 times over.
Junior is survived by his wife, Ramona, of 57 years; sisters Carry Finner and Peg Ley; brother Dave Stankey; and close family friend Rachel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernel Sr. and Sophie; brother Duane Stankey; and cousin, Christopher “Chopper” Stankey.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial. com.
(Ramona Stankey’s address is 1004 27th Ave NE #2022, Aberdeen, SD 57401.