Steven Wentzlaff, age 68, of Butterfield, Minnesota, died on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 6, 2016, at St. James Catholic Church in St. James, Minnesota, with Father Timothy Hall as Celebrant.
Visitation will be at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James on Thursday, May 5, 2016, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour before services on Friday.
Online family condolences may be sent to www.sturmfh.com
Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.
Steven Edward Wentzlaff was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 5, 1948 to Edward and Alice (Mork) Wentzlaff. His physical life came to an end after a farm accident on April 29, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato.
Steve married Carol Zender and together they built a life in rural Butterfield for over 48 years. They raised two daughters, Sarah and Joanna, on their farm. Their grandchildren are Sheriya, Ashley, Dylan, Paige and Alex and their great-grandchildren are Jovani and Carmen. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they were the light of his life.
Steve passionately loved farming his entire life. Working with the land,
from the first planting to the harvest, and beyond, brought Steve great joy. He believed each of us “should enjoy a little out of each day.” He greeted every morning with, “Thank you Lord for another beautiful day!,” no matter
what the weather. He always felt blessed and grateful, and he thoroughly
enjoyed the simple things in life. They enjoyed many family trips to Rocky
Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. Steve made friends wherever he went and liked to tell a good story. His down-to-earth sense of humor was
appreciated by friends and strangers alike. He had a personality that naturally attracted people. He was a man of his word and a genuine human being.
As an organ donor, Steven was able to give the gift of life and and joy to others. He loved to help people out and was able to continue this giving spirit even in physical death through organ donation. Many have been blessed through his selfless action, and for that, he and his family are eternally grateful.
Steve is survived by his wife, Carol (Zender) Wentzlaff and daughters, Sarah
(Wentzlaff) Bell and Joanna Wentzlaff. His grandchildren are Sheriya
Wentzlaff, Ashley Peters, Dylan Peters, Paige Bell, Alex Bell and great-grandchildren are Jovani Peters and Carmen Peters. His sisters are, Judy (William) Atkinson, Mary (John) Flock and brothers, Peter (Kim) Wentzlaff and Paul Wentzlaff.
Steven was preceeded in death by his parents, Alice (Mork) Wentzlaff and Edward Louis Wentzlaff.
