Donald Lawrence Stenger

Donald L. Stenger 67, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota died Saturday, January 23, 2016 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Donnie was born on May 11, 1948 the son of Joseph and Margaret (Carr) Stenger in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He graduated from Frazee High School in 1967. Donnie was married to Charyl Wagendorf in March of 1968. They had three children together and later divorced after almost twenty five years of marriage. Donnie worked at Snappy in Detroit Lakes until he started Donnie Stenger Excavating and Septic Service. Donnie continued to operate his business until a tragic car accident left him disabled and forced him to retire. He was united in marriage to Vonnie Dahl on May 27, 2000 at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. They made their home in rural Detroit Lakes. He was also known as a Land Entrepreneur, buying and selling land. Donnie was known as the unofficial “Governor” of Height of Land Township. He cherished his family and friends, but most of all he loved time spent with his grandchildren. Donnie was also known as a jokester and especially enjoyed teasing his grandchildren and everyone else. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, four wheeling, playing cards, playing pool, traveling, gardening, rummage sales with brother-in-law Dale, carpentry work and tinkering in the garage. He was always making deals and squealing wheels. Donnie is survived by his wife, Vonnie Stenger of Detroit Lakes, MN; children, Terry (Monica) Stenger of Detroit Lakes, MN; Lisa Honer of New York Mills, MN; Kaycee Stenger of Moorhead, MN; Denise (Todd) Hukriede of Frazee, MN; Jeremy (Dianne) Dahl of Rochert, MN; Adam (Chris) Dahl of Washington, D.C.; fourteen grandchildren, Tyler (Sarah) Stenger, Jimmy, Shelsey and Josie Honer, Jordan Corneliussen, Tina (Brenton) Newling, Trevor (Nicole) Dahl, Cory and Jessi Hukriede, Tyler and Lucas Phillips, Elizabeth Dahl, Tanner Phillips and Emily Dahl; eight great-grandchildren, Jaxon Stenger, Dominic, Mason, Rylie and Hadley Newling, Kaydence, Cameron and Carter Dahl, Casey Ludwig; three brothers, Joe (Kathy) Stenger Jr.; Tim (Susan) Stenger and Tony (Nancy) Stenger all of Detroit Lakes, MN; four sisters, Diana Vareberg and Mary Wosika both of Detroit Lakes, MN; Bev (Roy) Samuelson of Hawley, MN and Therese (Dale) Stroschein of Frazee, MN; brother-in-law, Dean Klinefelter of Monticello, MN; numerous nieces and nephews; four godchildren, Michael Vareberg, Anastasia Mickelson, Laurie Schmoll and Michael Stroschein. Donnie was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Lindsay Honer, sister, Genny Klinefelter, brother-in-law, Tom Wosika, nephew, Robert (Bob) Stroschein, niece, April Stenger and great niece, Isabella Schmitz.