Donavon Kent Stanzyk

Donavon Kent Stanzyk, aged 79, formerly of Carroll, IA, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, in Spring Hill, KS. Arrangements are being overseen by McGilley and Frye Funeral Home in Olathe, KS. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Donavon was born on March 6, 1947, at Presbyterian Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the son of Donavan and Colleen (Stofferson) Stanzyk.

He moved to Carroll at an early age. He attended grade school in Carroll and Colorado. He attended high school in California. He entered the US Army in 1965, where he served in Frankfurt as a payroll clerk. He learned to type and speak fluent German. He was married to Gerda Mucksch in 1967 in Basel, Switzerland. From this union, his daughter Michaela Lynn was born. Upon discharge from the Army, he moved back to Carroll to be close to family. Don and Gerda later divorced.

In the early 70’s, he met Nancie Kanne. They were married on August 6, 1975, in Glidden, IA. They made their home in the Carroll and Lidderdale area. With this union, he was blessed with his daughters Heidi and Stephanie.

Throughout his life, he worked many jobs as a mechanic, electrician, concrete laborer, and worked many years as an over-the-road truck driver. He was employed by Nepple Oil, Baugh Trucking, Herman Ford, Midwest PreCast, and New Hope Village, to name a few. When not working, he could be found bowling on Thursday nights! In 1979, while working for Midwest Precast, Don suffered a traumatic brain injury. He was the first man in Iowa to be life-flighted, and many believed he would not survive, but he persevered. The strongest man the world has ever known began a difficult and painful recovery. He spent many months healing and then rehabilitating in the Creighton University Hospital system. After returning home, he worked with New Hope Village for more than 20 years. He performed many tasks and jobs and met many wonderful people who continued to make an impact on him until his last days. Some of whom he swore visited him in Spring Hill. He was a wonderful artist and craftsman and took considerable pride in his work. A jack of all trades, “master of none” as he would say. He enjoyed painting ceramics, and woodworking. He also raised quail and built model airplanes and cars. He loved a good car show and WWF wrestling. His favorite show was M*A*S*H and any Clint Eastwood movie, along with all the Smoky and the Bandit movies.

In his later years, Don was cared for by the most loving and devoted staff at Spring Hill Care and Rehabilitation. His family is and will be forever grateful for their kindness and caring when acting as his 2nd family. The love and fondness they showed him and us, is immeasurable.

Don is survived by his life partner and best friend of 51 years, Nancie of Olathe, KS, his adoring daughters Heidi Rowland (Kyle) of Olathe, KS, and Stephanie Meyer (Paul) of Cedar Rapids, IA. His most cherished granddaughters, Hollie Stephens (Damon) of

Liberty, MO, Summer Luna (Erick) of Olathe, KS, Taylor Allen (Keagan) of Kansas City, MO, Casie Meyer (John Kinney), Camryn Meyer, and his grandson Caleb Meyer, of Cedar Rapids, IA and five great-grandchildren, Rebecca Stephens, Mia, Tayson, and Julian Luna, and Paxton Allen; his step-mother, Helene Stanzyk: his siblings, Cheri Eicher of NM, Patty Noland of NE, Lynne McGovern of MN, Stan Stanzyk of NM, and Rick Stanzyk of CO and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other extended family.

He is preceded in death by his mother Colleen, father Donavon, sisters Kandy and Becky, and brothers Randy, Jeff, Ted, brothers-in-law Randy Kroeger and Paul Sporrer, grandson Henry Robert Meyer in infancy, and longtime friend Tom Young.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or organization in Don’s name.