Alice Marie Stenlund

Stenlund, Alice Marie. Born 4/19/1936 and passed on 10/3/2025 at the age of 89.
Preceded in death by her parents Ludvik and Frances Kucera, and her husband of 63 years,
Darrell Wayne Stenlund.
Alice Marie (Kucera) Stenlund was born on April 19, 1936 to Ludvik and Frances Kucera
in the small farming community of Clearbrook in Northern Minnesota. Hers was the only Czech
family in Clearbrook. She graduated from Clearbrook High School with the Class of 1954 where
she played clarinet in the band. Alice went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota in
1958 with a degree in Home Economics, an achievement of which she was immensely proud.
Alice met Darrell Stenlund in 1956 on a trip back from the University of Minnesota to
Clearbrook when he gave her a ride home. They were married the following year on October 26,
1957. Over the coming years, Alice and Darrell had three children together; Dwayne, Karla, and
Dwight. The family lived together in Roseville, Minnesota before Darrell's retirement in 1987.
Alice and Darrell moved back to northern Minnesota to their cabin in Manhattan Beach before
relocating to a home Darrell built on the Pine River in Crosslake, Minnesota in 1994. They spent
their time deeply devoted to their local church and snowmobiling club.
Alice found personal fulfillment in using her degree in home economics by giving back to
her community and running her own home-based business. She taught adult education classes
for many years, beginning shortly after her marriage to Darrell and continuing throughout her
life. Alice found joy in cooking and sewing, especially for others. She created hundreds of
wedding dresses and made alterations for thousands more through her personal sewing
business, which she ran well into her eighties. Alice's gardens were the envy of the
neighborhood as she enjoyed spending time with things that grow. She even won a local contest
for the best garden.
Faith was a fundamental cornerstone of Alice's life. Raised as a devout Catholic in a
primarily Lutheran community, Alice was highly motivated by, and devoted to, her religious
beliefs and practices. She served in the Rectory of Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in
Crosslake, Minnesota, where she also sang in the choir. Alice's faith led her to a decades long
involvement and leadership in the Council of Catholic Women, even serving as president for her
local diocese. She spent her life grounded by faith, attending church services daily for the
majority of her adult life. In her own words, Alice did not feel obligated or required to attend
services, but enjoyed a life of devotion to God.
After living nearly 30 years up north, Alice and Darrell returned to the Twin Cities in order
to be closer to their children. They moved into an independent living facility until Darrell's battle
with Alzheimer's separated them in 2020. Alice was cared for by the Mayo Clinic, assisted living
facilities and finally memory care until she was returned to her Lord's care on October 3, 2025.
Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Wayne Stenlund. She is survived by
her three children Dwayne (DeeAnn), Karla (Jim) Tessier, and Dwight. She leaves behind four
grandchildren: Katherine (Nick) Varda, Benjamin (Kathleen), Steven Tessier, and Timothy
(Moriah), and eleven great-grandchildren. Alice is also survived by her brother-in-law and
sister-in-law, Winston and Noreen Villocino, and many nieces and nephews.
Alice's Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, November 7 at 11:00AM at St.
John's Catholic Church of Little Canada, Minnesota located on 380 Little Canada Rd E.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Celebration with a luncheon to follow. Memorials are
preferred to the Alzheimer's Association or the Mayo Clinic. Internment at Fort Snelling National
Cemetery November 12, 2025 at 1:30.