Stan Chromy, 85

Stan Chromy, age 85, passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Stan was born on March 18, 1935 in Lanesburgh Township to Stanley W. and Mary (Horejsi) Chromy.  He was the eldest of nine growing up on the family farm.  He graduated from New Prague High School. While at a dance at the Lonsdale dance hall, Stan met the love of his life, Violet Nerud.  He offered her a ride home and they have been together ever since.  They were married on August 21, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale, MN.  Stan farmed many of his younger years.  Surgeries on his back when he was 36 years old forced him to change careers.  He returned to school at Mankato Vo-Tech and ventured into accounting and insurance. He was still doing taxes up until 2 weeks ago.  It was about the same time that he began to drive school bus for the New Prague schools also.  Over the next 30 years he transported thousands of school children safely to school and back home again.  He personally logged over 870,000 miles in his 30 years as a school bus driver.

 Although he was no longer physically farming, the farming never left Stan.  He enjoyed his toy tractor collection and sharing stories with local farmers.  In his younger days, Stan enjoyed fishing.  He was a member of the Czech Heritage Club, a past grand knight for the 4^th degree Knights of Columbus, and saw his children through 4-H as an adult leader.  More recently woodworking and scrolling took up his spare time.  His greatest joy, especially in the last decade, was the time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they had the ability to light up his face and his heart.

 Stan is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Violet; nine children, Pat (Brad) Trowbridge, Dave (Kelley) Chromy, Joe Chromy, Theresa (Greg) Plante, Monica (Steve) Kaler, Steve (LuAnn) Chromy, Phil (Jennie) Chromy, Chris (Jodi) Chromy, Doug (Roz) Chromy; 28 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; siblings; John (Nora) Chromy, Dick (Jan) Chromy, Ann Marie (Bryan) Becker, Tom (Diane) Chromy; brother-in-law, Norman Hallet; sisters-in-law, Mary Catherine Chromy and Karen Chromy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Wenceslaus School Tuition Assistance. Private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 18, 2020 at 10 AM at St. Wenceslaus Church (livestreamed on npcatholic.org) with burial following at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. bruzekfuneralhome.com