Robert Dean Stenzel

Robert (Bob) D. Stenzel went home to be with the Lord with his family by his side on January 3, 2016 at United Hospital District in Blue Earth after a brief illness. Visitation will be Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth, and one hour before the service at the church. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on January 8, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Paul Meierding presiding. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Blue Earth. Web tributes can be made at www.pattonfh.comBob was born the oldest of four brothers to August and Elsie (Brocker) Stenzel on January 15, 1928. He was born on a farm in northern Kossuth County, IA and grew up on a farm near Elmore, MN. He attended rural school through the eighth grade, and graduated from Elmore High School in 1945. On December 30, 1951 he married the love of his life, Joyce Thompson, at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore and they remained life partners for over 62 years until her death in August 2013. He entered the U.S Army in 1951 and served his country proudly during the Korean War. During this period Bob obtained his private pilot''s license and for a time he owned his own airplane. Upon his discharge from the army the couple settled in Lakota, IA where they began to raise their family which included a son, Perry, and two daughters Sheila and Connie. Bob began working for the Lakota Elevator as a bookkeeper and in 1962 began a 20 year career in the insurance industry. In 1965 the family relocated to Blue Earth, MN where Bob and Joyce resided for the remainder of their lives. In his later working years Bob continued to provide his bookkeeping services to several businesses and organizations in the area, as well as worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Faribault County ASCS office for eight years. Throughout his life, Bob was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He taught them many of life''s most important lessons and principles to live by. In their later years when Joyce''s health became more frail, Bob was a devoted caregiver to his wife demonstrating what lifelong marital love is all about. Bob and Joyce loved and were proud of their family enjoying all manner of family gatherings. Bob and Joyce also enjoyed traveling and motorcycling continuing through their retirement years. Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time outdoors, as well as discussing politics and current events with anyone who was a willing partner. In his later years he learned computer skills and he looked forward to Skype sessions with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He maintained an active lifestyle, walking every day and meticulously maintaining his home both inside and outside. Lastly, Bob was a 60 year member of the American Legion, and he continued to proudly serve his fellow veterans as a dedicated member of the Honor Guard for area veterans'' funerals right up until his death. Bob is survived by his children, son Perry (wife Arlene) of Lakeville, MN, daughter Sheila (husband Darcy Taylor) of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, and daughter Connie (husband Dennis Holtz) of Renner, SD, four grandchildren and their families: Chad (wife Tasha, Jackson, Julia and Graham), Brent (wife Melissa, Avery and Jamison), Heather (husband Derek Andersen) and Laura (husband Daniel Stewart and Evie), and in addition several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce, an infant daughter, three brothers Bill, Howard and Myrl, three brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either The United Hospital District Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.