Brian D. Stoaks

Brian Dean Stoaks, 55, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2023. Family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at The Shop-DSM, 901 Cherry St., Des Moines 50309, with a celebration of life to follow at 6 p.m. Please dress casually and be comfortable, that is what Brian would have wanted. A private burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery.

Brian was born August 14, 1968 to Steven and Karen (Magg) Stoaks in Des Moines. He graduated from Colfax High School and then attended DMACC and earned a degree in Mechanical Drafting. Brian knew his calling was to help people so he received his EMT certification from DMACC and then attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing. While he was working at Methodist in the ICU, Brian joined the Clive Fire Department as a paid on call volunteer. In 1996, he was hired by the Des Moines Fire Department where he worked for 27 years.

Brian grew up watching sprint car and NASCAR races with this dad and continued the tradition with his son, Max. He was a proud supporter and fan of softball, watching his daughter, Madison, play from an early age through high school and college. Brian loved his fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota with his buddies and cooking for the famiends (friends you consider family) on camping trips and Sunday sporting events. He was well known for his big smile, sense of humor, one liners and great hugs.

Brian is survived by his wife, Kelli (Kuebrich) Stoaks; daughter, Madison; son, Max; sister, Brenda Tjaden (TJ) of Colfax; numerous extended family and his famiends.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial donations may be made in Brian’s name to Children’s Cancer Connection, Above & Beyond Cancer or Everystep Kavanagh House Hospice.