OSAGE CITY, Kan. – Donald Leroy Standiferd, 89, of Osage City, Kan., passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Select Specialty Hospital, Kansas City, Kan. He was born Nov. 14, 1932, at his home in near Arvonia, Kan., the son of Hugh and Ora Reed Standiferd.
Donald attended primary school at Mount Pleasant, Booth School, and went to and graduated from Osage City High School with the class of 1951.
Shortly after high school, Don followed his uncle Roscoe Reed to Nevada where they worked at a tungsten mine. He later moved home to farm with his dad. Don then moved to Arkansas to work at Uncle Roscoe’s sawmill. After returning to Osage City for good, he worked at Nordling Salvage Yard, and later at Concrete Materials, based out of Carbondale, Kan. In 1970, he took a position with Hallmark as a machinist. His career would span25 years. During his time at Hallmark, Don also operated the road grader for Barclay Township.
Don retired in 1995 and became a winter Texan, wintering at 1015 RV Park in Weslaco, Texas, for the next 20 years. When home he could often be found at Melvern Lake, where he loved to camp and fish. He also helped the Williams family during harvest times whenever and however he could.
He married the love of his life, Nora Edna McAlexander, May 2, 1958, in Ottawa, Kan. They shared almost 30 years together before cancer claimed her life April 29, 1987, at the young age of 52. Don and Nora were both preceded in death by their son, Daryl Standiferd, on Oct. 21, 1978.
Don will live on in the hearts and memories of his daughters, Kathryn S. Boyd (Russ Boyd), of Harveyville, Kan., and Rebecca “Becky” Standiferd, Topeka, Kan.; grandchildren, Dylan Boyd, Topeka, and Emma Grace Boyd, Harveyville; a sister, Marilyn Chase, Topeka; sisters-in-law, Donna Williams and Juanita McAlexander, both of Osage City; and numerous extended family and close friends.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the Osage City First Presbyterian Church, 202 S. Sixth St., Osage City. Inurnment will follow services at Osage City Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 21, at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, Osage City.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523. Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com.
