The Funeral Service for Arlene Stenberg will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Interment will be in the Colman Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon on Monday, January 7, 2013 in the Kahler Funeral Home chapel. Family will be present to greet friends Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. and there will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. To leave condolences please visit www.kahlerfh.com.
Arlene was born to Roy and Josie Satre on March 27, 1930 in Veblen, SD. As first of their four children, she learned early a love of the land, the value of hard work, faith in a loving Savior, and the skills of being a resourceful homemaker. By high school years, she was boarding in Sisseton with relatives, and had met young Bob Stenberg through Bob’s sister, Arlene.
Arlene and Robert were married on September 3, 1949, and farmed near Sioux Falls. The birth of their daughter Candace, Air National Guard activation, Roxanne’s birth, resuming of farming in eastern SD, and then Sheryl’s arrival followed in rapid succession in the early 50’s. Farm life was hard and rewarding, with each move more productive. In 1967, they purchased the Dell Rapids farm and lived there until retirement years brought them ‘to town’. Each step along the way, Arlene and Bob were partners.
Arlene was creative and met challenges with humor and energy. She sewed, canned, cooked, gardened, worshiped, volunteered, shared Bob’s love of music, and traveled the world with enthusiasm and a positive outlook. She was very involved in Extension Services, both locally and statewide. She continued to learn new skills all through life and was generous in everything she did.
Arlene passed away on Friday, January 4, 2013 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. She was 82 and was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by Robert, her husband of 63 years; daughters Candace Trautman (Phillips) of Camano Island, WA, Roxanne Heimbuck (Randy) of Torrance, CA, and Sheryl Kelso (Ronald) of Arlington Heights, IL; 8 grandchildren and spouses and 7 great granddaughters; sister Mavis Showalter; brothers Roy and Lowell Satre; sisters and brothers in law; and many nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.