Laurence Morrison Stenger, 77, Dent, MN

1929 - 2006

Laurence Morrison Stenger, 77, of Dent, died at his home on Monday, Dec. 25, 2006, surrounded by his family and Lakeland Hospice.

He was born March 26, 1929, in Lida Township, rural Vergas, to John William and Ottilia (VonAlmen) Stenger. Laurence grew up on the family farm in rural Vergas and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School with the class of 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 16, 1954, to Oct. 30, 1956.
On April 2, 1959, Laurence was united in marriage with Marilyn Margaret Moltzan at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dent. Their marriage was blessed with six children. Laurence and Marilyn resided in rural Vergas and they continued to farm in Dora Township. Laurence also attended four years of college and graduated from Moorhead State University.

He taught at Ulen-Hitterdal School District for seven years and started Precast Concrete Products at the family farm, working there until he retired in 1983. In his retirement years Laurence enjoyed forestry and woodworking. He loved fishing and going for drives.

Preceding Laurence in death were his parents, John and Ottilia Stenger; and his sister, Marcella Stenger.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilyn Stenger of Dent; three daughters: Geraldine (Mark) VanSanten of Battle Lake, Linda (Darrell) Lende of Bejou, and Patricia (Jerry) Klatt of Vergas; three sons: Kenneth (Kimberly) Stenger of Barnsville, Mark (Joan) Stenger of Vergas, and Thomas (Tammy) Stenger of Flandreau, S.D.; 15 grandchildren: Rich Stenger, Katie Stenger, Brittany VanSanten, Brandon VanSanten, Tim VanSanten, Amanda Lende, Abby Lende, Jim Stenger, Eddie Stenger, Nancy Stenger, Andrew Stenger, Adam Stenger, Ashley Stenger, Jesse Klatt and Jay Klatt; two sisters, Madelyn Cameron of Great Falls, Mont., and Dorothy Palubicki of Perham; many other relatives; and a host of friends.

Service: 11 a.m. Thursday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dent
Clergy: The Revs. Arlie Sowada, James Bernauer, Paul Folsom and Greg Leiser
Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery, Dent, with military honors provided by Perham VFW Post 4020
Funeral home: Karvonen & Son Funeral Home, New York Mills