Stanley Allen Cross

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stanley Allen Cross on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026, surrounded by family.  Stanley was born on January 29th, 1944 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan. 

He was predeceased by his parents, George and Mary Cross; siblings: Norman, Lawrence, Lorraine, and Clarence; mother and father-in-law, Gladys and Nick Shemko; brother-in-law, Dennis Shemko; and Randy Hegedus (special friend of Noelle).  Stanley is survived by his wife of 58 years, Penny; daughters, Nichole (Arnold) and Noelle; grandchildren: Nick (Jessie), Anastasia, Dante, and Kole; great-grandchildren, Porter and Rhenn; brother, Garry (Pat); as well as his sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.  

Stanley was the second oldest of the six children of George and Mary Cross.  He grew up on the farm with his four brothers and one sister.  The mixed farm had Stanley working in the field as well as caring for a variety of livestock.  As a young boy, Stanley grew up with a lot of responsibility and with an attitude of the importance of hard work.  Milking cows, cutting and baling hay, seeding and harvesting were all part of his youth that extended far into adulthood.  Stanley and his brothers were a fun-loving and rambunctious crew whose antics were known by many in the community.  Stanley did not enjoy school much beyond the sports and social aspects it provided.  He quit high school 18 days into Grade 12 so that he could harvest and never returned.  Stanley worked in road construction and was fond of proudly pointing out which roads he had worked on in the area.  He assisted in the creation of the manmade Tobin Lake and then later enjoyed fishing at that lake with friends and family.  

In 1965, Stanley met the love of his life, Penny Shemko, at a small-town dance and asked to take her home.  He never looked back after that and the two were married on November 18th, 1967.  They began their life working together on the farm, and welcomed two children into their family, Nichole in 1969 and Noelle in 1971.  The farm consisted of grain farming and livestock, and the challenges of livestock care are vividly remembered by each member of the family.  Whether it was chasing cattle or fencing, memories of Stanley’s colourful directions are still clear today.  In the winter Stanley would work north of Mistatim “in the bush” lumberjacking for a local company.  

Stanley loved sports and as a young man he played hockey for the local Mistatim Warriors.  He enjoyed watching his grandson and great-grandson play for their local teams, his dislike of “cherry pickers” was easily understood by his comments at the games.  Stanley played baseball as a boy and enjoyed being an umpire at the local Sports Days as an adult.  Curling was a sport that he played with friends in Mistatim, and he enjoyed loudly offering unsolicited advice when his daughters were curling, much to their embarrassment.  Watching sports on television was also something he loved.  He knew the lineage of hockey players and curling teams and could share the history of the teams with great pleasure.  

Stanley loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, so much so that his wedding date was selected around the season.  He enjoyed hunting deer, moose and elk.  Stanley taught his grandson, Nick, how to hunt and over time there were legendary debates on who had actually shot the infamous moose.  Stanley also loved fishing, both in the summer and the winter.  He would go with friends in early June on fishing trips to Reindeer Lake, a time of fun reminding the men of their youthful endeavours.  Later Stanley took Nick on “the big man fishing trips” where he shared his passion for fishing, as well as stories that should not be repeated.  He took all his grandchildren fishing, often spending more time baiting the hooks than fishing himself.  Stanley shared his love of the outdoors with his grandchildren by telling them “Hunting or fishing” stories that placed him as the main character of some very tall tales.  

Stanley and Penny enjoyed some time travelling, going to the Maritimes, Hawaii, Florida, and California.  In 2013 Stanley caught a 184 lb Ahi Tuna while deep sea fishing with his family.  He was incredibly proud of this catch and would fondly share the experience with others.  

Stanley enjoyed his morning ritual of playing solitaire and found it difficult to watch others play without commenting on their options.  As children, Nichole and Noelle learned to hate playing Monopoly as Stanley was ruthless in his strategy.  His competitive nature was well known, as well as his wandering eye with card players beside him.  His grandchildren soon learned not to sit with their back to the window as Grandpa could always see their hand, something he found profoundly funny.  

Stanley faced many health challenges in his lifetime.  In March 2007 he experienced his first heart attack.  Another heart attack followed in May of 2015 and six months later he suffered a brain bleed.  After moving to Moose Jaw, SK Stanley was diagnosed with Cancer in his larynx.  He contracted Covid Pneumonia in 2022 and fought his way back to health.  In 2023 Stanley experienced a stroke, along with pneumonia followed by two separate bouts of pneumonia in the following months.  In 2024 Stanley contracted Covid Pneumonia for a second time.  Stanley’s resilience was compared to a cat with nine lives.  Each challenge was met with stubbornness and unmatched determination.  

Stanley and Penny retired from the farm and moved to Moose Jaw in November of 2020.  It was difficult to leave the home they had built but they were now closer to family.  The move to Moose Jaw allowed them more time to relax and not be consumed by the work of the farm.  

Stanley’s move into Providence Place in June of 2024 was a difficult choice but over time he made many friends of both the staff and residents.  He still enjoyed his favourite recliner, and the several sports channels provided him with hockey and curling to watch.  Stanley had a deep faith and enjoyed the opportunity of attending mass each week as he had for his entire life.  His congestive heart failure developed into a consistent struggle.  In his final days his heart, which had battled through so many challenges in the past, no longer had the strength to carry on.  After a brave and courageous fight Stanley will now be able to rest in peace.  

We would like to thank the staff of Providence Place for their profound compassion, consistent support and loving care that made Stanley’s stay with them a place of comfort, and love.  We would also like to thank Dr. Maree and the excellent Home Care staff that also supported Stanley through his journey.  

A celebration of Stanley’s life will be held at a later date.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Stanley’s name may be made to Providence Place, 100 2nd Avenue NE, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1B8.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Andrew Pratt, Funeral Director 306-693-4550