Raymond Phillip Stenzel, age 86, of Wells died Thursday Dec. 9, 2002 at his home in rural Wells, of complications of kidney failure. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday Dec. 9, 2002 at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, Minn. Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Visitation will be at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells on Sunday from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m.. Visitation will also be one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be at St. Casimir Catholic cemetery in Wells.

Stenzel was born Sept. 12, 1916 in Wells to Paul and Balbina (Chicos) Stenzel. He was married to Frances Kalis on Oct. 14, 1940 at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells.

Raymond attended St. Casimir Catholic Parochial School, graduating from the eighth grade. He was a lifelong member at St. Casimir Catholic Church and the Rosary Society. He was a financial supporter of St. Casimir School. He had been an active member of the Farmer’s Union and DFL Party. He and his wife lived on the same farm their entire married life of 62 years. Ray enjoyed farming and raising animals and loved the land. He especially loved his family.

He is survived by his wife Frances Stenzel, of Wells; children; Mary and husband Glenn Miller of Mankato, Minn., Bernadette and husband N. Doak McBryde of Houston, Texas, mark and wife Trisha Stenzel of Arlington, Va., Marjorie and husband Tom Wilcox of North Mankato, Minn., Bryan and wife Julie Stenzel of Wells, Gretchen and husband Curt harder of Mountain Lake, Minn. and Jacqueline and husband mark Chicos of Waseca, Minn. Stenzel is also survived by 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Brother Dominic Stenzel of Hartland; sisters Deloris Cory of Easton, Minn. and Regina Kalis of New Richland and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Martin, Danny and Vincent, two sisters; Helen Cory and Gert Lester, one son Gregory in 1960 and one granddaughter Meredith in 1996.