Della Van B. Stender

Obituary

Della Van Bertha Stender was born on November 4, 1928, in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Ewald and Fernadena (Terlinden) Bettcher.  Della was baptized in the Christian faith as an infant on November 25, 1928, by Rev. J.A. Schert and was later confirmed in her Christian faith as a youth on March 29, 1942, by Rev. Vomhof, both at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. Della’s confirmation verse reads; Watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 She received her education at District 10 country school through the 4th grade and then attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church parochial school in Lester Prairie.

On November 18, 1949, Della was united in marriage to Norman Stender by Rev. Alfred Streufert at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. Della and Norman made their home in Lester Prairie. Their marriage was blessed with four daughters, Linda, Lois, Lori, and Lisa. Della and Norman shared 55 years of marriage until Norman passed away on May 30, 2004.

Della worked at Green Giant in Winsted, Minnesota, for a few seasons. She then worked at Tonka Toys in Mound, Minnesota, where she worked for 26 years. She decided then that she was done punching in on a time clock. After staying home for several weeks, she decided that was not for her. Della started to clean homes in the Lester Prairie area and the Twin Cities until she retired at the age of 84. Della was ageless in mind and spirit and was never one to stay idle for long. Della was a lifelong and faithful member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. For a number of years, she served on the LWML and would lend a hand where she could.

Della loved playing cards, putting together puzzles, and embroidering. She loved working outside and tending to her flowers. Della was a longtime baseball fan; whether it was for the Plato Blue Jays as all of her sons-in-law and grandsons either managed or played on the team and some still do, or the Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers and the Minnesota Twins. Most of all she cherished spending time with her family, her grandchildren, and friends.

Della entered her eternal rest on February 27, 2024, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 95 years, 3 months and 23 days. Della was an amazing Mom and was greatly celebrated in heaven when her soul left our world for an eternity of love and joy. She leaves behind her many friends and family who loved and cherished their time with her. Blessed be her memory.

Della is survived by her
Children, Linda Scott and her husband, Richard, of Pine River, MN,
                Lois Stender of Lester Prairie, MN,
                Lori Harms and her husband, Steve, of Glencoe, MN,
                Lisa Lepel and her husband, Tim, of Plato, MN;
Grandchildren,  Brett Scott of Aitkin, MN,
                          Teisha Scott of Glencoe, MN,
                          Kelly Roberts and her husband, Matt, of Glencoe, MN,
                          Cody Harms of Glencoe, MN,
                          Nolan Lepel and his wife, Lexi, of Plato, MN,
                          Ellie Lepel and her fiancé, Tanner Hennings, of Sioux Falls, SD,
                          Bennett Lepel of Plato, MN,
                          Beau Lepel of Plato, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Tenley, and Broc Roberts;
Sisters, Carol Adams of Chaska, MN, Betty Miller and her husband, Gene, of Cologne, MN;
Sister-In-Law, Dorothy Bettcher of Lester Prairie, MN;
Nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

Della is preceded in death by her Parents, Ewald and Fernadena Bettcher; Husband, Norman Stender; Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law, Rueben and Anna Stender; Sisters, Eunice (Dee) Wainwright, Violet (Ted) Tonn, Derrolla (William) Fasching, Evangeline (Linus) Fasching, Bobbie (Victor) Klaustermeier; Brothers, Juergen (Grace) Bettcher, Victor Bettcher, Ewald Bettcher Jr.; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Ronald (Marlys) Stender, Marvanna (Louis) Machemehl.

Della’s family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to the caring staff at GlenFields Living with Care and to Michele Schuberg - CNP for her kindness and guidance during this difficult time.