Obituary of Stephen Lorris Stennes

Stephen Lorris Stennes, age 71, died peacefully at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN on July 8, 2016. Steve was born in Roseau, Minnesota on May 8, 1945, Victory in Europe Day, to Lorris and Lillian Stennes. He shared the same birthdate as his eventual wife of 49 years, Constance Belsheim. Steve is survived by Connie, son Matthew Stennes (Libretta), daughter Sarah de Leon (Michael), brothers Jim (Kaye) and Greg (Andrea), sister Kathy, and three grandchildren, Zachary, Miles and Paige. Steve graduated from East Grand Forks High School in 1963, but spent much of his youth in the small Red River town of Drayton, North Dakota, where he experienced countless memorable and frequently recounted adventures with his siblings and a close-knit group of friends. Steve attended the University of North Dakota, where he met Connie, and graduated with a degree in journalism in 1967. He voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army in 1968, where he served as an airborne infantry officer. Steve rose to the rank of First Lieutenant and served a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he made many close friends – both U.S. servicemen and Vietnamese civilians and soldiers. Steve was able to use his journalism skills while in country and captured thousands of amazing photographs documenting the war and military life for Stars and Stripes and his own collection. After his service, Steve returned to the University of Minnesota Law School, graduating in 1974. He would spend the next 35 years practicing law in East Grand Forks and Montevideo, MN, where he was a named partner with the Prindle, Maland, Sellner, Stennes & Knutson law firm and served on many community boards. Steve loved the practice of law, where he took pride in “helping people solve problems.” He would later inspire both of his children to pursue legal careers. A voracious reader, Steve could be seen around Montevideo with a book in his hand at all times – even occasionally while sitting behind the wheel at one of the town’s few stoplights. Steve was also a gifted writer, and his work was frequently featured in state and local publications. Steve also attended every one of his kids’ sporting events, home or away – the smell of his pipe a memorable reminder to his children and their friends that Steve was quietly walking the sidelines. Steve’s favorite place on Earth was the Stennes family cabin at Rocky Point, Lake of the Woods, where he spent as much time as his schedule would allow fishing with his brother Greg and other friends and family. During the final 24 years of his life, Steve focused all of his energy, love and strength on caring for and supporting Connie, whose physical limitations resulted from an aneurism and stroke at the age of 47. Steve lived his final years by Connie’s side in Eagan, Minnesota, where they made many new friends at The Commons on Marice assisted living facility. The family is eternally grateful to the staff at the Commons and at Fairview Ridges Hospital who took such good care of Steve in his final weeks. The family will host a public memorial service at The Commons, 1380 Marice Drive, Eagan, MN on August 16, 2016, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests you consider making a contribution in Steve’s honor to the Montevideo High School Scholarship Fund, Attn: Darwin Tebeest, 1501 William Ave., Montevideo, MN 56265.