Albert Stegenga

Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 26, 2009

Memorial services for Albert (Dutch) Stegenga of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at St Theodore Catholic Church. The Rev. James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. at Bonnerup Funeral Service, with a rosary service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in St Theodore Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea area veterans groups.
Dutch died Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, at the Albert Lea Medical Center. He was 82.
Dutch was born June 3, 1927, in Terzool, Holland, the son of Harman and Jeltje (Koopmans) Stegenga. He graduated from school in Holland. For a brief time he was active in the Dutch Navy before moving to Albert Lea in 1950. Dutch was united in marriage to JoAnn Balfe in 1954 at St. Theodore Catholic Church.
Dutch had been employed for 43 years at the Wilson Company in Albert Lea. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.
Family was always very important and Dutch always had a pocket full of candy for the kids, and treats for the pets.
Dutch is survived by his wife JoAnn of Albert Lea and children: Lori Beighley of Albert Lea, Dan Stegenga of Texas, Ron and his wife Wendy Stegenga of Lakefield, Jim and his wife Chris Stegenga of Rochester. There are six grandchildren: Shelly (Scott) Freemyer, Cristy, Jenell, Matt and David Stegenga and Jenna Stegenga. There are two great grandchildren: Erin and Trevor Freemyer. One sister survives: Hilda Van T Hull of Holland, two nieces and one nephew.
Dutch was preceded in death by his parents.