Ernest Theodore Stoen

Ernest Stoen died on Monday, April 4, 2005 at the Chippewa County - Montevideo Hospital in Montevideo at the age of 91.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 7, 2005 at 2:00 PM at the Big Bend Lutheran Church with Rev. David DeMars officiating.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Wednesday afternoon and evening and with the family present from 5 - 7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo and for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Ernest Theodore Stoen was born on April 30, 1913 in Big Bend Township of Chippewa County, MN to Edward and Tillie (Hagenstad) Stoen.  He was baptized and confirmed at Big Bend Lutheran Church.  He attended the Stoen Country School and attended and graduated from Milan High School. He farmed with his brother Manfred and farming was his life. He met Mae Pederson, who became his love for the rest of their years, and they were married on August 25, 1979 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montevideo.  Along with the marriage, Mae’s three children became Ernie’s and he adopted them as his own. They lived in Montevideo and wintered in Venice, FL, before moving to Copper Glen in 1998 when Mae’s health deteriorated.  Mae died in 2000.  Ernie’s seven years at Copper Glen were mostly happy ones as he found more “family” in the other residents and staff. He was generous to his family and those close to home and cared deeply about the hardships of people around the world.  He generously supported organizations such as CARE, Feed My People, and many others to try to limit suffering in those who would never know his name.  He was an active member of Big Bend Lutheran Church, loved antique tractors and was actively involved in the Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association.  He was an avid reader of news and kept up with current events.

He is survived by his three children: Susan Schei and her husband Larry of Grand Marais, MN, Marcia Neely and her husband John of Benson, MN and Doug Pederson and his wife Marie of Montevideo; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; as well as by a nephew, Hal Stoen of Oxford, MS.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mae in 2000; a grandchild; two brothers: Manford and Harold; and a niece.

May his memory be blessed.