Emil Stenzel, 81, of Wells, died Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. A celebration of Emil’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Wells. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate and interment will be in St. Casimir’s Cemetery following the service. Military honors will be accorded by the Wells color guard. Go to www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

Emil Benedict Stenzel was born Jan. 28, 1932, in Dunbar Township, Faribault County the son of Peter and Helen ( Kukuzke) Stenzel. He graduated from Freeborn High School, the class of 1951, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball during his high school years. He served in the Army in Germany during the Korean War and also continued to play baseball and football while in the Army. He was united in marriage to Lois A. Jacobson Aug. 13, 1958, in Osage, Iowa. He farmed his entire life and also did tiling work. After retiring from his service in the military he continued playing baseball as a pitcher for area town teams. He served on the Local REA, Wells Electric Board and Co-Operative Power Association. He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW and St. Casimir’s Catholic Church. He was very proud of his Polish heritage. He loved gardening and was proud to grow peach and apple trees, melons, tomatoes and strawberries. He loved to share his crops with family and friends.

Emil is survived by wife, Lois, of Wells; children, Greg (Lori) Stenzel of Wells, Kevin (Cari) Stenzel of Freeborn, Mike (Sue) Stenzel of Apopka, Fla., Karen (Don) Gimberline of Freeborn and Gary (Jessie) Stenzel of Wells; 10 grandchildren, Tyler and Adam Stenzel, Megan (Dave) Konz, Jacob (Marja) Stenzel, Amy (Grant) Determan, Julia Stenzel, Scott (Bree) Stenzel, Sarah Stenzel, Derek (Jen) Chicos and David Chicos; four great-grandchildren, Noah Konz, Charlotte and Adelynn Stenzel and Elyse Chicos; siblings, Victor Stenzel of Owatonna, Marvin and Joyce Stenzel of Wells, Therese McCue of Delavan, Dennis and Laura Stenzel of Wells and Virginia Deyle of Owatonna; and sister-in-law, Marilyn (Sailor) Stenzel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David Stenzel, LeRoy Stenzel and Stanley (Dorothy) Stenzel; one great-grandson, Matthew Konz; and sister-in-law, Kathy Stenzel.