Emil Benedict Stenzel

Emil Stenzel, age 81, of Wells, MN, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. A celebration of Emil's life will be held Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 10:30 A.M. at the St. Casimir's Catholic Church in Wells, MN. Visitation will be held Monday, May 27, 2013 from 4-8 P.M. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Father Eugene Stenzel will officiate and interment will be in St. Casimir's Cemetery following the service. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wells Color Guard. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN is in charge of arrangements. Emil Benedict Stenzel was born January 28, 1932 in Dunbar Township, Faribault County, MN the son of Peter and Helen ( Kukuzke) Stenzel. He graduated from Freeborn High School, the class of 1951, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball during his high school years. He served in the Army in Germany during the Korean War and also continued to play baseball and football while in the Army. He was united in marriage to Lois A. Jacobson August 13, 1958 in Osage, IA. He farmed his entire life and also did tiling work. After retiring from his service in the Military he continued playing baseball as a pitcher for area town teams. He served on the Local REA, Wells Electric Board and Co-Operative Power Association. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW and St. Casimir's Catholic Church. He was very proud of his Polish Heritage. He loved gardening and was proud to grow peach & apple trees, melons, tomatoes and strawberries. He loved to share his crops with family and friends. Emil is survived by wife Lois, Wells; children: Greg (Lori) Stenzel, Wells; Kevin (Cari) Stenzel, Freeborn; Mike (Sue) Stenzel, Apopka FL; Karen (Don) Gimberline, Freeborn and Gary (Jessie) Stenzel, Wells. 10 grandchildren: Tyler, Adam Stenzel; Megan (Dave) Konz, Jacob (Marja) Stenzel, Amy (Grant) Determan; Julia Stenzel; Scott (Bree) Stenzel; Sarah Stenzel; Derek (Jen) Chicos and David Chicos. 4 great-grandchildren: Noah Konz; Charlotte and Adelynn Stenzel and Elyse Chicos. Siblings: Victor Stenzel, Owatonna; Marvin and Joyce Stenzel, Wells; Therese McCue, Delavan; Dennis and Laura Stenzel, Wells and Virginia Deyle, Owatonna. Sister-in-law, Marilyn (Sailor) Stenzel. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: David Stenzel, LeRoy Stenzel and Stanley (Dorothy) Stenzel and 1 great-grandson Matthew Konz, and sister-in-law, Kathy Stenzel.