Stanley A. Nerhaugen II

Stanley A. Nerhaugen II, 82, of Red Wing, died Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Methodist Campus, Rochester. He was born April 24, 1944, in Rochester, Minn., to Helen and Stanley Nerhaugen Sr. of Zumbrota, MN. , and graduated in 1962 from Zumbrota High School. He attended Rochester Community College then entered the U.S. Air Force, (1964-1972) serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. During Stateside years in Upper Michigan he met his future wife, Ruth. They were married March 8, 1968, in Marquette, Mich., where their son, Stanley III, was born. While in Marquette Stan attended Northern Michigan University, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After one year teaching special education in Park Rapids, Minn., the family moved in 1975 to Red Wing, Minn., where he taught special education. For 31 years he served as Director of Special Education for Red Wing Public Schools. He was instrumental in “mainstreaming” special ed students into the schools. At Red Wing High School he coached girls and boys sports and Special Olympics. When people asked him about his career, he usually replied, “I was very fortunate. I worked with people who cared about kids.”

Stan was very active in the community, serving on city boards and commissions including the Sustainability Commission, Sister Cities Commission, Hiking-Biking and Skiing Trail Committee, City Golf Course Task Force and the Human Rights Advisory Committee. He was past president of Dawnbreakers Kiwanis Club and Sons of Norway and a member of the American Legion, United Lutheran Church Council, Universal Playground Committee and Local Indian Education Committee. Professional affiliations included the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education (Past President) and the MASE National Board. He joined the Red Wing Lions Club and served in several offices, including two terms as club president. From 2015-2016 he was District Governor for Lions District 5M1, and he then served on the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation Board.

He had many interests, ranging from cars (he owned two Corvettes), to music (including church choir), to his Scandinavian heritage (he made krumkake every year with his wife), cross-country skiing (including the Birkebeiner), softball (he was a pitcher), sports (Gophers, Vikings, Twins, etc.) and cross-country road trips.

Family was important to him. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, Red Wing; son, Stanley III of Richfield, Minn.; three sisters, Marcia Nelson of Apple Valley, Minn.; Mary (Tom) Kaphings of Plymouth, Minn.; and JoAnn Williams of Zumbrota; special nieces Jennifer Johnson and LeeAnn Keller and their families, and nephews Lucas, Charlie, Logan and Thomas LaVoy and their families; cousin Fred (Lynda) Simon, and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding him in death were his parents, Helen and Stanley Nerhaugen Sr.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5, at United Lutheran Church, Red Wing, with the Rev. Justin Boeding officiating. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed below.  Burial with full military honors will be at United Lutheran Cemetery, Zumbrota. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Mahn Family Funeral Home,  Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing and for one hour before the service. Memorials to Red Wing Schools Foundation or Minnesota Lions Eye Bank are preferred.