Stan’s Pastry in Keokuk, Iowa has been satisfying customers since 1967. This year, the iconic bakery will be celebrating its 50th year in Keokuk, after moving from Anamosa where it started in 1948.

The bakery’s patriarch, Stan Waldron, ran the bakery for multiple generations along with his wife and children. Now, the eldest daughter Madonna Kirchner runs the bakery and makes sure that it is still going strong.

The family has been completely dedicated to the bakery over the years. “I’ve worked in the bakery all my life,” Kirchner says.  “My dad was a double amputee and worked up until the day he died.”

Stan’s Pastry is very involved in its community. Kirchner is involved with the Ladies of Charity, which donates Christmas baskets each year to underprivileged families throughout the area, and her father was also a big small business supporter.   “My dad was always a supporter of small business and was a big supporter of the 800 Block Easter Seals Party,” an annual fundraiser for Easter Seals held in the 800 block of Main Street, Kirchner says.  

Kirchner says that the best part of the bakery is the customers. “I would like to thank the community for everything they’ve done through all the trials and tribulations.”