Carl Henry Stengard

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Carl Henry Stengard, of Ironwood, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at the age of 97.

He was born in South Bessemer on May 13, 1916, to Victor and Eliina (Pukkila) Stengard. He attended Harding School and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer.

Carl worked one winter for Underwood Veneer Company, 13 months for Merritt Chapman Scott Corporation of New York, 42 years for Burns & Lahti Chevrolet-Cadillac in Ironwood and 10 years for MFC as a custodian at the new branch bank on Cloverland Drive in Ironwood.

He was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, a member of the church council, and belonged to different committees and held different offices for the church. He was a member of the church choir for many years and the Cloverland Chorus. He was also a member of the Knights of Kaleva Lodge for 59 years.

On June 23, 1945, he was married to Elma D. Niemi at St. Paul Lutheran Church by the Rev. Herman Matero.

He is survived by his wife, Elma, his life partner and the love of his life. He is also survived by a daughter, the sunshine of his life, Susan (Greg) Kruger, of Marquette; and a granddaughter, the joy of his life, Amy Radakovich, of St. Paul, Minn. Also surviving are two sisters, Helen Stengard, of Carmel, Calif., and Bernice Burd, of Anchorage, Alaska.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Tauno Stengard; and four sisters, Anna Rowe, Laimi Vaara, Jennie Vandermade and Ida Iversen.

Funeral services for Carl will be held on Monday, Aug. 19, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki officiating. Public viewing will begin at 9 a.m. followed by services at 10 a.m.

Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

A noon luncheon will follow at the church.

Range Funeral Service Inc. is in charge of arrangements. You may email your expression of condolences to rangefsi@up.net.