Stanley M. Good

MADISON - Stanley Merrill Good, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at Prairie Gardens Assisted Living in Sun Prairie. He was born on Jan. 12, 1924, to Glenn and Luella (Johnson) Good in Cottage Grove, Wis.

Stanley graduated from Madison East High School in 1942. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry. He was assigned to the Asian Pacific Theater and served for 27 months in the 37th Division, 3rd Battalion as a machine gunner and a supply sergeant. He was involved in battles in the Northern Solomon and Luzon, including New Caledonia, New Georgia, Vella Lavella, Bougainville and Manilla. In February of 1945, he received the Bronze Star medal award for meritorious achievement during military operations in Luzon, where he remained on post for a 24-hour period, assisting mortar and artillery observers and aiding radio operations and wiremen with communication and support.

Stanley did not talk much about his war experiences, but he often reminisced about his Madison friends, Harold Kurth and Bob Greig, who also served in the 37th Infantry Division. One story that he repeated often involved his discharge from the Army on Dec. 24, 1945, and reuniting with his family on Christmas Eve. For 60 plus years, Stanley and Harold talked by phone every Dec. 24th and shared the joy and sorrow of their war experiences and return to civilian life.

Another memorable event included a 2004 trip to the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. with Harold and his son, Terry Kurth. In opening remarks Tom Brokaw, news anchor and author, paid tribute to the enduring legacy of “The Greatest Generation” and their sacrifice, valor, and dedication to a common cause, compassion and triumph.

Stanley and Doris Smith were married in August of 1949. One year later, they moved to their eastside Madison home of 65 years, where they raised four children. They spent many vacations in northern Wisconsin, enjoying camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and water skiing. Starting in 1981, the extended family began a tradition of family camping at Council Ground State Park that continued for 32 years.

Stanley pursued a career in barbering and worked in Madison barber shops owned by Frank Judd and Sam Salerno. He opened his own shop at 2910 ½ Atwood Ave, called Stan’s Barber Stylists, where he worked until the age of 82. In retirement, Stanley would talk about how he liked being a barber and how he enjoyed his customers. The relationship was reciprocal as evidence by over 100 customers showing up to celebrate his 90th birthday party. The event was held at the East Side Club on Monona Drive, an organization that Stanley financially supported throughout his life.

Stanley is survived by his children, Gail (Tom) Syverud of Ashland, Stuart (Jane) Good of Lodi, Allison (Scott) Hermanson of Madison, and Holly (Dave Hanson) Good of Madison; 9 grandchildren; Amy (Tony Sullivan) Good, Monica Good, Travis (Brooke) Good, Jenny (Brendan)  Finn, Andrea (Charlie) Sieb, Dustin (Jessica) Hermanson, Jesse (Katie) Juisto, Shannon (Sarah Villa) Juisto and Alicia (Jon) Grote; 23 great-grandchildren; nieces, Natalie Reuss, Tari Howard, Tracee Ramos, and Trisha Angell; and nephews, Kraig Schwartz, Tim Good, and Tom Good.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; parents; and brother, Lyle (Rhoda) Good.

A funeral service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 12 noon on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 am until the start of the service on Thursday. A graveside service with military honors will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, 401 Femrite Drive, Monona.

The family acknowledges and thanks Agrace HospiceCare Staff and Prairie Gardens Certified Nursing Assistants for providing excellent end of life care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420