Kenneth Wendell Stender

Kenneth W. Stender, 84, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at Saint Mars Hospital in Rochester, with family at his side.

Ken was born in the village of Fillmore on June 28, 1930, to Edwin and Selma Stender. The family later moved to Wykoff. Ken graduated from Wykoff High School and married classmate, June Lenz on Dec. 18, 1954. The newlyweds first resided in Denver before moving to Spring Valley in 1956. Ken was a longtime businessman in Spring Valley. He began his career in mechanical services in 1949 and established Spring Valley Plumbing & Heating in 1971. He then partnered with his son, Greg, before retiring in 2002.

Ken enjoyed vehicles, gadgets, pets, a good joke or story, spending time with grandchildren and listening to and making music. A lifelong musician, he played trombone, guitar, banjo, keyboards and accordion. As a young man, he played in a wedding band with his parents. He continued playing music up until a few months ago.

He is survived by children, Pamela Landgrebe and Gregory Stender, both of Spring Valley, Jana Stender (Gary Rice) of Eden Prairie and Lia (Jon) Hansen of Seattle; five grandchildren, Lisa (Greg) Henningsen, Jade (Jon) Schultz, Mirin, Aidan and Annika; and great-grandchildren, Isabella, Jacob, Fiona and Liam.

Preceded in death by wife, June; sister, Carla Stender; son-in-law, Gary Landgrebe; and grandson, Grant Landgrebe.

Special thanks to Ken's "second family"— the team at Mayo's Northeast Dialysis Unit for their many years of care and compassion.

A private family memorial will be held.

Memorials preferred to giver's organization of choice.

Funeral arrangements by Thauwald Funeral Home in Spring Valley. thauwaldfuneralhomes.com.