Irene E. Stendalen

Irene Stendalen, 88, of Westby died Sunday, April 17, 2011 Irene E. (Lee) Stendalen, age 88 of Westby, died Sunday, April 17, 2011 at Norseland Nursing Home in Westby, WI. She was born in the Township of Coon October 26, 1922 to Oscar and Inga (Solberg) Lee. Irene went to a one room grade school, 8 grades, in Spring Coulee. She was a babysitter and housekeeper. As a young girl she attended the upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church. She married Edwin Stendalen in the Coon Valley Parsonage on October 25, 1941 and they farmed all their married life. Irene became a famous and generous donut maker and everyone who came to visit her went home with a bag of donuts, bread or cookies. Also she had an infectious smile and a laugh that helped to cheer others up. She loved old time music and dancing and when she couldnt dance she enjoyed watching others dance. She is survived by her children, Sharon Amundson and Joyce (Richard) Swiggum both of Sparta, Wayne Stendalen of West Salem, Robert (Joanne) Stendalen of Holmen, and Gary (Krin) Stendalen of Westby, a son-in-law, Laverne Dunnum of Viroqua, 18 grandchildren, Patty, Jeff, Jim, Jill, Stacey, Jenny, Lisa, Kim, Christine, Joel, Jason, Jeremy, Eric, Lexi, Trey, Debra, John and Diane; 25 great-grandchildren, Melissa, Mike, Brandon, Dylan, Allyssa, Jesse, Daniel, Katherine, Ivy, Chrispin, Willow, Amaya, Schuyler, Madelyn, Isabella, Hannah, Delaney, Alexis, Taylor Jo, Mac, Crystal, Mitchell, Lee, Zach, and Macayla; 5 greatgreat grandchildren, Rylee, Bauer, Leah, Haley, and Emma. Surviving brothers and sisters, Hazel (Hilmer) Anderson, Marvin (Helen) Lee, Clayton (Eleanor) Lee all of Westby, Duane Lee, of Coon Valley, Glen (Mary) Lee of Westby, Roger Lee of Holmen and Virgil Lee and friend Julianne of Oronoco, MN., a sister-in-law, Delia Stendalen of Westby, and many nieces and nephews. Special friend and neighbor, Beverly Haakenson and son Don, Adrian Hendrickson family, Loren and Gerry Anderson and the Johnson family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Edwin Stendalen in 1999; daughter, Joanne Dunnum in 2009 and a granddaughter, Cindy Swiggum in 2010; brothers and sisters, Alton Lee, Otis (Gertrude) Lee, Clairice (Bill) Peterson Carl Hilke, Elaine (Norman) Mickelson, sisters-in-law, Hazel Lee, Judy Lee, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Manda (Harold) Mortenson and brother-in-law, Gilbert Stendalen. Blessed be our memory of Irene E. Stendalen Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Dennis Hallemeier will officiate with burial in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday, from 3-6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Main Street, in Westby and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.