Service Information
DeVota Stoltenow, age 92, of Lester Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, Minnesota.
Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Lester Prairie Education Foundation.
Online Guest Book is available at www.mcbridechapel.com
Obituary
DeVota Esther (Ortloff) Stoltenow was born on January 18, 1928, in Sumter Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Edwin and Esther (Rodeck) Ortloff. DeVota was baptized as an infant at home on February 2, 1928, by Rev. Otto Eyrick, and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth on Palm Sunday, March 29, 1942, at the Church of Peace in Glencoe by Rev. Broetzmann. She received her education in Glencoe and was a graduate of the Glencoe High School Class of 1945. She furthered her education at Stevens Semintary Teachers Training, Henry Hill in Glencoe, graduating in 1946. DeVota received her Bachelor of Science Degree at Mankato State University in 1968.
On June 7, 1975, DeVota was united in marriage to DeVan Stoltenow at Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. DeVota and DeVan made their home in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. Their lives were blessed with three children, Quanita, Scott and Sheila. DeVota began her career teaching in a one room, country school, and taught elementary education in Lester Prairie, retiring in 1996. DeVota and DeVan shared over 45 years of marriage.
DeVota was a member of Prairie Community Church in Lester Prairie. As her ministry to the church, she served on the church council for 12 years.
DeVota enjoyed flower gardening and collecting bowling balls. She cherished the time she spent with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Blessed be her memory.
DeVota is survived by her:
Husband, DeVan Stoltenow of Lester Prairie, MN;
Children, Quanita Arlt and her husband, Norm, of Denver, CO,
Scott Schmalz and his special friend, Sheila, of Woodbury, MN,
Sheila Reynolds and her husband, Richard, of Mound, MN;
Grandchildren, Tony Arlt and his wife, Kristina,
JaNaye Dressler and her husband, Ryan,
Kelsey Thiemann and her husband, Aaron,
Brooke Weise and her husband, Beau,
Blair Jilek,
Kyle Schmalz,
Kristan Wingham and her husband, Lyle;
Great Grandchildren, Lacey Arlt, Josie Arlt, Eliza Dressler, Layne Dressler, McKenna Thiemann, Brock Thiemann, Grant Thiemann, Jaxson Weise, Laith Wingham.
Gail says
A wonderful individual who has given much to the children of Lester Prairie……just think how many lives this woman has touched. She was one tough, but caring cookie as I would tell her. Bob and I want to express our deepest sympathy to DeVan and her children and grandchildren. A lady to be proud of! Blessed be her memory.
Neil Hedquist says
I had the privilege of being a colleague of Devota in Lester Prairie for 10 years. My wife, Annette & I also rented their farm house for a while. Devota & DeVan treated us like family. DeVota was a wonderful teacher who taught life lessons to all of us. She will always be a part of our family and I look forward to when I see her again in heaven!
Ron Larson says
So sorry to hear the loss of
Devota. She was a great teacher and friend. She will be missed deeply but her memory will always create a smile.
Tim Klaustermeier says
Sheila, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I have always had the most respect for your mother. Your mother helped me to be the person I am today by being the tough and fair person she was. We had our moments as teacher and student! I can still hear her walking down the halls in school, we knew who was coming. She was one of the great ones!
Brian & Amy Korf says
Our sympathy to DeVan, her children, and grandchildren.
Grandma DeVota taught me many skills when I taught 5th grade at Lester Prairie. She would volunteer her time in my classroom. She was a great teacher, mentor, friend and grandma! She was a great teacher who cared so much about kids. Grandma DeVota was so proud of her grandchildren. I will miss my conversations with grandma DeVota and will miss her big hugs. I look forward to getting a hug again from grandma DeVota in heaven.
Kimberly Reed says
I have such fond memories of Mrs. Stoltenow. What a great teacher! My sympathies to the entire family.
Barb McMahon says
DeVota was a great colleague! One of my favorite memories of her was a time when I was walking down the hall behind two of her students. One of the two boys had gotten into trouble and the second boy was drilling him to find out what happened. Did you get suspended? No. Did you get detention? No. Did she call your parents? No. She talked to me. Oh man, that’s the worse! The perfect combination of toughness and love. A great example for us all! Rest in peace sweet lady. You touched so many lives. A good and faithful servant!
Bonnie Hahn says
She once told me that as young, just out of school for teaching that she taught my dad. She went on to have his children and told me that if I had lived closer to LP, she would maybe have had my children! RIP Devota! you will be missed!
Christine Bettendorf says
I was grateful to have worked with DeVota for thirteen years. She demonstrated the value of being a small-town teacher, knowing and embracing each child, and holding each accountable. I learned so much from her and valued her friendship. She truly made a positive difference in many lives. Devan, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kay (Konerza) Bachert says
Our loss is Heaven’s gain — Heaven got a good one! I would consider Mrs. Stoltenow as one of the great pillar’s of the Lester Prairie education system. I will never forget learning multiplication skills from Mrs. Stoltenow. She was demanding, strict in a good & fair way, and a great example of someone who pushed her students to be their personal best. I am thankful Mrs. Stoltenow was obedient to the calling on her life. There’s no telling how many lives she impacted through elementary math. Well done good and faithful servant!!! My condolences to the whole family.
God Bless,
Kay (Konerza) Bachert
LPHS Class of 1982