Herbert Stoen

Monday, December 27, 2021 2:00 pm

Herbert Stoen, age 92, of rural Decorah, died on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021, at Meadows of Mabel in Mabel, Minn.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021 at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church rural Decorah, with Rev. Waldemar Gies presiding.  Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and also after 10 a.m. at the church on Tuesday. Everyone attending is asked to please wear a mask. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105; or to the Big Canoe Cemetery Fund: 1381 Big Canoe Road, Decorah, IA 52101.

Herbert Milford Stoen was born on Aug. 2, 1929 at the Spring Grove, Minn., hospital the son of Henry and Martina (Sollien) Stoen. He was baptized and confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran Church.  Herbert married Kathryn Bany on March 20, 1949 at her parents farm in Bremer County, IA. Herbert lived on the family farm for ninety-one years before spending the last year at the Meadows in Mabel. He loved the staff and the excellent care and especially the pie. After his retirement from farming, road construction and road maintenance with Winneshiek County he developed a multitude of hobbies. He became a self-taught woodworker, making many pieces of furniture for family and friends.  He loved to travel, whether it was in the motor home with Kathryn or at age 85, a trip to Norway with his children.

Herbert kept the birds well fed at the “century farm” and was proud of his flowers (especially his Dahlias) and the lily pool. He was an expert at “making due” and making the house handicap accessible so Kathryn could stay at home was a major accomplishment. Herbert loved a good conversation and could talk to anybody!  He loved visiting with his favorite waitresses at the Family Table in Decorah or with Wings in Dorchester. Traveling around, Herb would often say “I helped build that road”. He will be missed for his kindness, acceptance, quest for knowledge and his hearty laugh.

Herbert is survived by his three daughters: Susan (Larry) Schnitzler of Eagan, Minn., Kristine (Terry) Knoke of Nauvoo, Ill., and Joanne (Keith) Starr, Charles City; son: Erik (Ellen) Drewes-Stoen, Decorah; grandchildren: Jacob (Christina) Schnitzler, Luke (Kim) Schnitzler, Sarah (Trent) Seigfried, Rachel (Erin Hahl) Knoke, Vicky (fiancé, Lance St Laurent), Stephen Starr, Robert (Laura) Starr, Emily (Brady) Garden; and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn on Jan. 10, 2002; daughter: Virginia on Dec. 4, 2011; parents: Henry and Martina (Sollien) Stoen;  sister: Thelma Ellingson; and brothers: Raymond and Sophus Stoen.