Stan Karash

Stan Karash, 85, passed away Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Mary Lanning HeathCare, two days prior to his 86th Birthday.
In honoring Stan’s wishes, cremation took place, no viewing, or funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. He will be buried with his wife, Mary (after Mary catches up with him) together at The Inland Cemetery. DeWitt Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting his family with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to his wife for a later designation.
Stan was born on October 20, 1940, in Cambridge, Nebraska, to Louis “Cap” F. and Eleanor A. (Rightmire) Karash. His family moved to Hastings in 1941, where he spent the remainder of his life building a career, forming lasting friendships, and making many wonderful memories.
Stan proudly served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1961, receiving an honorable discharge. He remained a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) Club in Hastings.
Stan and his wife, Mary, shared 48 wonderful years together. After living together for 15 years, they were married on December 31, 1993, and the rest is history! As they described it, those were the greatest years of their lives. Together, they worked hard, had fun, built their home, and embraced each day to the fullest.
Stan was self-employed for most of his life, owning and operating several businesses. A talented and innovative man, he was also an inventor whose creations resulted in numerous patents over the years. For 36 years, Stan partnered with his dear friend, Vince Dowding of Grand Island, Nebraska, sharing a long-standing business relationship and friendship.
Throughout his lifetime, Stan made many wonderful friends, each of whom held a special place in his heart. He truly cherished the people who came into his life and valued the friendships he built along the way.
Stan is survived by wife, Mary; Children, Ron, Kelly both of Lincoln, NE, Troy, Debbie, and Capri all of Hastings; stepsons, Tryson and Pike both of Hastings; eighteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda Schutte, Rosie and Frank Graft, and Darryl Peak; and many other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parent and siblings, Billy Bob, Esther, and Alice.
The Dash by Linda Ellis.
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning to the end. He noted that the first date was his birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. That dash represents all the time he spent alive on earth and only those who loved him know what that little line is worth. For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash, what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So, think about this long and hard; Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives Like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash Might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?