Alfred Stene, 81

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Funeral services for Alfred Milton Stene, 81, of Lake Mills, Iowa, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Emmons Lutheran Church. The Rev. Julie Fiske will officiate. Interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery with military honors accorded by Emmons American Legion. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Milton died Friday, March 26, 2010, at the New Richland Care Center.
Alfred Milton Stene was born on Jan. 29, 1929, to Alfred and Mabel Stene on the family farm in Winnebago County, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Lime Creek Lutheran Church and later joined Emmons Lutheran Church, where he was a lifetime member. As an active member of the church he taught Sunday school, served on the church council, and sang in the choir. Milton attended country school for eight years and then graduated from Emmons High School in 1947. He began farming with his father after graduation and served in the Armed Services from 1951 -1953. Milton was united in marriage Dec. 29, 1963, to Arlene Rusche at Emmons Lutheran Church. The couple began farming on the home farm where he spent his entire life, until entering the New Richland Care Center in January of 2009. Milton was involved in 4-H work and helped his children with various 4-H fair projects. He belonged to the Farm Bureau and the American Legion. Milton was a dairy farmer for more than 30 years and also raised beef cattle until retirement. He enjoyed his 11 grandchildren as well as family vacations and trips.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene; three daughters: Diane and her husband Charles Larson of Owatonna, Joanne and her husband Timothy Larson of Medford, Carol and her husband Chad Ebel of Omaha, Neb., and one son, Mark Stene of Lake Mills, Iowa; 11 grandchildren: Lauren, Samantha, Cassandra, and Gregory Larson of Owatonna; Katelyn, Daniel, Mariah, Holly and Lynn Larson of Medford; Tony and Nicole Ebel of Omaha, Neb.; one twin brother, Marlin and his wife Arlene Stene of Minneapolis; one sister, Viola and her husband Bert Ryberg of Minneapolis; four brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Milton was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters: Gladys Yates, Gen Stene and Norma Stene; and one brother-in-law, Harland Yates.