Lionel Don Stanger

Lionel Don Stanger was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1936. He was the 6th child of 15 and second son born to Edward Marion and Mary Ethel Adkins Stanger. He went by Don later in life but was always known as Lionel to his family.

Don was raised in American Falls, Idaho. As with most children of the time, he worked on the farm from an early age. At the age of four, he was already responsible for bringing in the cows from the field all by himself. Don’s growing up years were spent in American Falls, where he completed elementary, junior high and high school graduating from American Falls High School in 1955. In high school he played and lettered in football, basketball and track.

Following graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Army in the fall of 1955. He became a paratrooper and was trained by the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat team. He was then assigned to the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He made over 100 jumps during his years of enlistment. He was ready and willing to go to serve his country in Korea, but the war ended before he was deployed. After leaving active duty, he served in the Idaho National Guard. Don was an active member of the American Legion for 31 years.

Don was called to serve in the East Central States mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February of 1958. That mission included the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, a bit of West Virginia and a portion of Indiana. He loved his mission and the people he served.

Don enrolled at the University of Idaho in 1961 where he studied education, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. In 1962 Don began courting Nancy Carlsen from Blackfoot, Idaho. They were married on December 26, 1963, in Blackfoot, Idaho and were sealed the very next day in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Don and Nancy added three children to their family, all born while attending school at the University of Idaho- Daughter Sheila, in 1964, son Brent in 1966, and daughter Julia in 1967. Over the years, the family had three other young people that lived with them off and on and became part of the family. Olivio Costa, Arlene Cody, and Hiromi Wajiki.

Don and Nancy’s first teaching jobs took them to Many Farms, Arizona where they both worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and taught at Many Farms High School, which was a Navajo boarding school. Don taught reading and coached football. He was active in the teacher’s organization and served one year as the National President of the National Council of Bureau of Indian Affairs Educators. He also served as a Branch President of the Many Farms Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1973, Don earned his master’s degree from Brigham Young University as a reading specialist, and the family returned to Idaho, where he and Nancy both continued their teaching careers in Marsing. Don taught remedial reading and regular reading and coached basketball and football, and also continued to be active in the teachers’ association there.

The family moved again in 1978 when Don took a job at East Jr. High School in Boise, Idaho, where he taught for 23 years. He taught remedial reading, regular reading, creative writing and English. He also coached the 7th/8th grade football. East was regularly the city champions under his and his assistant coaches’ tutelage. Don retired from East Jr. High School in 2000, having loved his time and the people there.

Since retirement, Don has had more time to spend with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, enjoy hobbies such as fishing, traveling, working on his personal history, learning to draw and paint, working in the field and reading, which was always his favorite past time.

Don was a lifetime member of and active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Calling through the years include Missionary, Stake Dance Director, Stake Missionary, Sunday School Superintendent, Branch President, teacher in Sunday School and Primary, Scout Counselor, Home Teacher, High Priest Group Leader, Stake High Councilman, Librarian, Prison Family Home Evening Volunteer for 5 years, and Boise Temple worker for 15 years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers and 6 sisters, 7 Brothers in Law, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Survivors include his wife Nancy to whom he was married for 61 ½ years, his children, Sheila (Steve) Crist, Brent (Tricia) Stanger, and Julia Stanger. Bonus daughters, Hiromi Wajiki, Arlene Cody, and Lesa Withers and bonus son Olivo Costa. Grandchildren, Justin (Holly), Joshua (Miranda), Jacob, Kyrstin (Jesse), Taylor (Kevin), Marin (Jake), Aubrey, Challis and Reese. Great Grandchildren, Isaiah, Jordan, Aksel, Ryder, Hailey, Hunter, Slade, Aida, Elsie and Willow. Sisters, Elsie Kelly, Ethel Ellsworth, Iola (Gary) Kelly. Sisters-in-law Bonnie Stanger, Victoria Stanger and Vickie Stanger. Brother-in-Law Ken (Rena) Carlsen. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

We would like to thank members of the River Heights Ward, Rebound Physical Therapy, doctors, nurses, and friends and family who have been so kind, helpful and giving of their time to Don over the past 2 ½ years. We would also like to thank the caregivers from Visiting Angels who have helped Don over the last month. They have all truly been angels to our family.

Don passed away at his home on Saturday, April 20, 2025.