Celia Stoen

Wednesday, July 8, 2020 4:22 pm

Celia Stoen, 85, of Highlandville, passed away Tuesday morning, April 21, 2020, at her home. A private family memorial service is Saturday, July 11, at Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, with Pastor Elaine Siemsen officiating. Inurnment is in Hesper Lutheran Cemetery. A public visitation to greet the family is Friday, July 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. Face masks are not required but the family recommends them.

Celia Edna Grace (Lien) Stoen was born July 1, 1934, at home on the family farm in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County, the daughter of Elmer H. and Grace O. (Borness) Lien. She was baptized and confirmed at Springfield Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. Celia attended the Nerlie Country School, near the Springfield Lutheran Church and then graduated from Calmar High School in 1952. She worked at Interstate Power Company in Decorah from 1955-1959.

Celia was united in marriage to Harold A. Stoen Sept. 13, 1958, at Springfield Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children: Elayne, Edward and Laurel.

Celia and Harold farmed for many years. She was a homemaker, raising her children and an active farm wife, helping Harold. She later worked at Master’s Touch in Decorah and Highlandville General Store in Highlandville. Celia was a long-time member of Highland Lutheran Church, where over the course of the years she taught Sunday school, was the church treasurer for many years, and active in WELCA. Later she and Harold became members of Hesper Lutheran Church. Celia loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking and making lefsa.

Celia is survived by her husband, Harold; one son, Edward Stoen, of Decorah; one daughter, Laurel (Rev. Kip) Groettum, of Pine Island, Minn.; son-in-law, Rev. David Werges, of Meroa; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Viola Linderbaum of Ossian and Helen Thune of Davenport; and two brothers, Ray (Aurora) Lien of Orlando, Fla. and Harold (Janice) Lien of Rochester, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Deacon Elayne Werges, Sept. 17, 2019; and one brother, Robert Lien.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.