Zelda B. Stanley of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on June 7, 2026, at the age of 98 at Medicalodges Nursing Home in Coffeyville.

She was born on March 31, 1928, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Harry and Gladys Staton. Zelda attended local schools and graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1946.

After graduation, she married Wayne Carey Stanley on June 3, 1946, in Sedan Kansas. They were married for 56 years until Wayne's passing in 2002. Together they raised three children: Peggy Cade, Harry Stanley, and Doug Stanley.

Zelda was a stay-at-home mom until her children were raised. She was a den mother, girl scout helper and neighborhood mom. Her home was always open for board games, cards, and snacks. She played bridge, loved to dance, enjoyed crafts, wrote poetry, and was also an animal lover. She belonged to the Trinity United Methodist Church.

After her children were raised, she decided to go back to school. She first earned her CNA certification, then became an LPN, and later served as administrator at the nursing home where she eventually passed. Her residents knew she genuinely cared for them. She also loved telling people that she had a Ph.D.—her proudest achievement. She would then laugh and say Peggy, Harry and Doug. She loved that joke!

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Wayne; her brothers, Kilborne and Mickey Staton; her son-in-law, Bard Cade; and her great-great-granddaughter, Oakley Bone.

Zelda is survived by her children, Peggy, Harry and Doug (Tereasa); grandchildren Andi Farmer (Jerry), J.J. Lawrie, Eric Stanley, Manissa McFarland (Chuck), Mickole Stanley, Joe Stanley, Shelli Stanley, and Brad Stanley (Amber). She was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Aside from her stubbornness she was so well known for—which only seemed to grow stronger with age—Zelda was a wonderful wife, mom, grandma and friend. She loved all of us, and we loved her, and that's all that really matters. She is at peace.

Pallbearers: Harry Stanley, Joe Stanley, Brett Fisher, Brad Stanley, Michael McGinnis, Kasey Fisher, Taye Lawrie, Marquis Fulcher, Major Clark-Matthews, and Maverick Clark-Matthews.

Her family will honor her memory with a celebration of life service on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 1:00p.m. at the Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, located at 2405 Woodland in Coffeyville. Friends are invited to gather with the family on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5 to 7p.m. at the same location. Zelda will be laid to rest next to her husband Wayne in a private family committal service at Robbins’ Cemetery. Those who wish to make memorial contributions in Zelda’s memory by directing donations to the Coffeyville Friends of Animals and they may be left in care of the chapel.