Stanley Pfrang

Stanley Pfrang

January 21, 1961 - November 18, 2025

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Obituary

Stanley David Pfrang passed away on November 18, 2025. The cause of death was complications due to Parkinson’s Disease. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Anna Pfrang and survived by his sisters, Mary (Michael) Gage, Catherine (Steve) Dahlberg, and Judy Pfrang; beloved nieces and nephews, Sam (Renee) Gage, Nick Gage, and Anna (Anthony Avallone) Gage, Brianna (David Durling) Dahlberg, Christopher Dahlberg, and Allie (Mark) Lindert; and 7 grand-nieces and nephews, Brady, Mac, Knox, Rhys, Wyeth, Annabelle, and Eddie.

Stanley, better known to his friends and family by his Polish nickname Staś, was born on January 21, 1961, in Neenah, WI and spent his early life in neighboring Menasha. He attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and St. Mary Central High School.

Staś is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with double majors in Geography and International Relations from the College of Letters in 1983 and a Master of Arts degree from the School of Business in 1989. He always considered himself to be a geographer at heart.

During the time between his academic studies, Staś worked in retail (selling men’s shoes and clothing) and at a mid-west freight forwarding company. His first paying job was at Dave’s Burger Shanty, the drive-in that his parents owned in Menasha. He started there when he was in the 8th grade.

What was initially intended to be a summer internship at the then Wisconsin Department of Development opened the doors to a lifelong career in export consulting and trade promotion. At the end of that internship, his supervisor took a job in New York and Staś was offered the position of Foreign Office Liaison. Over the years, his responsibilities expanded to involve making presentations on global marketing opportunities and one-on-one counseling to novice exporters; designing materials, including websites, newsletters, and annual reports; representing the state at trade shows and conferences around the world; and drafting briefing documents for five different governors and senior agency officials. Staś was very fortunate to be able to travel to a number of different countries for both work and pure pleasure.

Two outstanding highlights included a vacation trip to Egypt that included travel by plane, train, hot air balloon, boat, camel, horse-drawn carriage, and foot; and a second trip to central Europe with sisters Mary and Cathy that included time with his Polish relatives and a visit to the village where his grandfather was born. Trips to the Boundary Waters in winter and summer were also travel favorites.

Staś retired from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) in 2022. During his last couple of years with WEDC, he represented the organization on the board of directors of the Hessen-Wisconsin Society, a non-profit organization which promotes ties between Wisconsin and its partner state of Hessen in Germany. Staś subsequently remained with the group as a private member.

After retiring, Staś also joined the board of directors for the Madison Committee on Foreign Relations (MCFR).

Staś served on the board of directors of the Madison International Trade Association (MITA) from 1997 through 2024 and was president of the organization in 2000-2002 and 2011-2013.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at the St. James Church, 1204 St. James Ct., Madison, WI, with Fr. Drew Olson presiding. A visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass, from 9:00-10:00 a.m., at the church.

In lieu of flowers, Staś would have you consider a donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Madison; Porchlight Inc. Madison; or to another charity focusing on helping the local homeless. To view this obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

 

 

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue

608-249-8257

Events

15
Visitation
Mon Dec 15, 2025 @ 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CST
St. James Catholic Church • 1204 Saint James Ct, Madison, WI 53715
Get Directions
15
Mass of Christian Burial
Mon Dec 15, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST
St. James Catholic Church • 1204 Saint James Ct, Madison, WI 53715
Get Directions

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Memories

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Eric Fleming - Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Friend •
Staś was a long-term supporter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Madison - Dane County. He truly cared for our community members in need. His care, compassion, and commitment was amazing and inspiring. Thank you God for the gift of Staś. May the perpetual light shine upon him. Our deep condolences and prayers for Mary, Michael, Catherine, Steve, Judy, and the entire family. With gratitude for a life well lived, -Eric Fleming and everyone at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
SP
Sherwin Pomerantz
Coworker •
I was so sorry to hear of Stas' passing. We worked togethe for a number of years when we were representing Wiscnsin's export develpment program in the Middle East out of our Jerusalem office. He was a great parnter to our efforts, honest, dedicated, knolwedgeable and most impotantly, a decent human being with a sense of fairness so often absent these days. We will mist him and may his memoy be blessed.
ZM
Zoe Munro
Coworker •
I was so sorry to hear of Staś's passing. I had the privilege of knowing Stas since 2004 and traveling with him around the world through GSGP trade missions and various conferences. He was a sincere, kind, and thoughtful person who treated everyone with respect and genuine care, and who had a quiet way of making people feel at ease. He always had such great stories to share. Last week I was in Dubai, where we traveled together in 2012. I remembered some fun times buying monkey masks at the old Souk, which we took on future trade missions. They were a great hit. He spoke often and proudly about his nieces and nephews and it was clear how deeply he loved his family. He will be remembered fondly, and my heartfelt condolences go out to all who loved him.
CT
CLAUDIA TOMASELLI
Coworker •
Working with Staś was truly a privilege. He was always attentive, dedicated, and generous with his time and care. Above all, Staś was a remarkable human being who welcomed all of us—International Trade Directors—with genuine warmth, kindness, and a radiant smile that lit up every room. I will always remember him smiling, with deep gratitude and affection.
NW
Nancy Ward
Coworker •
Me and my team had the opportunity to work with Stas for many years as Wisconsin’s Canadian Trade office under the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. Stas was passionate about international trade and making connections for Wisconsin companies that would help them grow at home and internationally. Even after he retired he continued to be involved in this mission. When I first travelled to Wisconsin in the early 2000s, Stas was so welcoming and kind. I was delighted to learn how much he enjoyed Canadian humour and music, as a fan of Great Big Sea and Kids in the Hall. I remember traveling with Stas in Winnipeg in February. In the freezing cold temperatures, we stood at the crossroads of Canada at Portage and Main, paying homage to Neil Young. I cherish the many wonderful moments shared with Stas over the years and am so very sorry to hear of his passing. He was smart, funny and loved to laugh. He was generous of spirit and so very kind. Me and my team send our condolences and solace to Stas’ family and friends.
RL
Rob Lewis
Coworker •
I was sorry to hear about Stanley (Stas)'s passing. I remember him well from my working days when I attended international trade events in Milwaukee and Appleton. Condolences to his family on his untimely passing.

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