Gary E. Stendel

Gary E. Stendel, age 79, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Monday, May 6, 2024, of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home, 1010 E Veterans Parkway, Marshfield. Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until service time.

Gary was born on April 18, 1945, in Abbotsford, WI, the son of Frances (Kraus) and Christian Stendel. He graduated from Granton High School in 1963. He was drafted into the Army from 1965 to 1967, and upon his return married his high school sweetheart Carol Kallis. They were married just shy of 26 years until her death in December 1994. He later married Colleen Forde in January 2017.

Gary held a variety of jobs over the years but mainly farmed with his son in the Chili area. He enjoyed tinkering with cars and tractors, helping his Amish neighbors and visiting with family. Those who knew him are well aware of his sense of humor and story telling. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to all. His laughter, jokes, humility and common sense logic will truly be missed.

He is lovingly survived by his significant other, Colleen Forde; son, Terry Stendel; daughters, Amy (Mark) Vieth and Mary Stendel; granddaughters, Samantha Brock and Heather Brock; great-granddaughter, Harper Rogers; and a great-grandchild due in November. He is further survived by sisters, Delores O’Brien, Anita Hendrickson, Georgia Sternitzky, Ann (Jack) Straussburger, and Gloria Stai; sister-in-law, Linda Sternitzky; brother-in-law, Vernon Steinbach; and many other relatives and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Christian Stendel and step-mother, Helen Stendel; mother, Frances Sternitzky and step-father, George Sternitzky; step-father, Henry Schmitt; wife, Carol Stendel; mother-in-law, Mable Kallis; brothers, Roger Sternitzky and Francis Schmitt; sisters, Loretta Stendel and Judith Steinbach; brothers-in-law, Phil Hendrickson and Harold Stauffacher; nephews, Gary “Bo” Stendel, Phillip “Willie” Hendrickson, and Aynsley Sternitzky.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

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