Leland E. Stensgard

Leland E. Stensgard, 87, of Rushford, died on Thursday, January 18, 2007, at Lake Winona Manor in Winona, Minn. Leland was born on April 22, 1919, in Norway Township of Fillmore County to Carl and Ruth (Meldahl) Stensgard. He was raised at Highland Prairie. On October 25, 1939, Leland married Evelyn Berge in Peterson, Minn. He owned and operated a chicken hatchery in South Rushford for several years. He also worked for Humble Fertilizer in Rushford. He managed apartment buildings in Rochester and Winona, Minn. for many years. Leland moved back to Rushford in 2001. He enjoyed bowling. Leland was an active member of Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Peterson, Minn. where he enjoyed playing in the Highland Prairie Dart League. He is survived by two daughters: Beverly Gittens of Holmen, Wis., and Lolly (Dick) Hungerholt of Rushford; ten grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; one sister-in-law: Margaret Stensgard of Rushford; and his good friend: Isabelle Johnson of Rushford. Leland was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and one brother, Robert. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, at Highland Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Peterson, Minn. with the Rev. Wade Davick officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. Please feel free to sign the online guestbook or leave a memory of Leland at www.hofffuneral.com