Edward Alan Stahla

Edward Alan Stahla, 82, of Cozad, Nebraska, formerly of Smithfield, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Emerald Nursing & Rehab in Cozad.

Ed was born on February 17, 1943 in Kimball, Nebraska to August and Sarah (Martin) Stahla where he grew up on the family farm in Kimball. He played the clarinet in the band and wrestled when not working on the farm. After high school, he attended the University of Wyoming earning a degree in Arts and Sciences in 1965 before going to law school. In 1968, he received his Juris Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Wyoming and went on to pass the State Bars in both Nebraska and Alaska.

On September 6, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen A. Schwindt in the church where they both grew up in Kimball. (He always said that he married her after she graduated from nursing school so she could put him through law school!)

After graduating from law school, he and Kathy packed up their daughter and moved to Ketchikan, Alaska. In 1969 they welcomed their son, Scott and eventually moved to Sitka where he would continue to practice law, building a house in both Ketchikan and Sitka, and enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing. He spent as much time as he could away from the law office on the SB Daiquiri with family and friends before moving back to Nebraska.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy of Smithfield; daughter and spouse, Pamela Stahla-Kernin (Michael); grandchildren and spouses, Marissa (Derek), Erik (Riley), Nichel (Chance), and Alex (Samantha); great-grandchildren, Carmen, Colin, Parker, and Everett.

He is also survived by one remaining uncle, Ray Stahla and his wife, Dianne; siblings, Betty and Byron (Jeanne); and his sisters-in-law, Mary Stahla and Connie Schwindt.

Besides his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his son, Scott; brother, Ron Stahla and brothers-in-law, Jim and Ron Schwindt.

A Celebration of Life Service for Edward will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington with Joe Wilken, officiating.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com