Art P. Stender

Art Stender, 78, of La Crescent, Minnesota, peacefully went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Art was born in Winona, Minnesota on March 12, 1946 to Arthur and Esther (Erdmann) Stender of Ridgeway, Minnesota.  He was baptized in the name of the Triune God on March 31 of that same year, and confirmed in the Christian faith 13 years later at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgeway.  He grew up on the family farm where his appreciation and love for the outdoors was instilled, and his business acumen started by raising chickens and selling their eggs.  Art graduated from Winona Senior High in 1964.  He established Stender Insurance Agency in La Crescent and spent over 50 years taking great pride in providing service to his clients, many of whom he considered to be his good friends.

Art married his kindred soul Colleen (Wolfe) on August 17, 1984.  Together they spent many happy years on their farm raising and showing horses.  Art took great pride in creating their family ranch, High Country Ranch.  He designed and built each structure, including the horse barn and their log cabin home.  He was a skilled craftsman and enjoyed woodworking, from the cabinets he built to the ceiling he made with barn boards from his childhood farm.

Art was also an avid outdoorsman, traveling with Colleen across the country and as far as South Africa to enjoy hunting and fishing trips with their family and friends.  He served on numerous boards and was an active member of various horse, nature and habitat conservation associations.  Art looked forward to hosting deer camp each November, which occurred for 40 years.  He also enjoyed hosting an annual cabin trip with family.  Later in life, Art discovered a passion for making wine, which evolved into Molly’s Winery.

Art is survived by his three sons, Paul (Vicki) Stender, Des Moines; Brian (Leah) Stender, Lakeville; and Jason Stender, La Crescent; nine grandchildren: Bria (Andrew), Erin, Ella, Ethan, Ava, Erik, Evelyn, Gus and Sully; two great-grandchildren: Aurora and Stiorra; and his sister Mary (George) Wenzel and his nieces/nephew Kim (Mike) Kubis, Kelly and Kristopher (Amanda) Wenzel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Colleen.

Visitation will be held from 10-11:30 am on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in La Crescent, and a memorial service will be held at 12 noon at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent (4810 County 25) with a burial ceremony to follow.  Pastor John F. Unnasch will officiate.  Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church or the charity of one’s choice.