Kelly J. Stenzel

Kelly J. Stenzel, age 58, of Minneapolis, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 25, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Marysburg.  Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m., Sunday at Mankato Mortuary, 1001 N. Riverfront Drive, and will continue one hour before service at the church on Monday. Interment will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Marysburg.

Kelly was born March 3, 1962 to Charles A. and Mary L. (Lutz) Stenzel in Mankato.  He graduated from Loyola High School in 1981.  He attended Mankato State University and graduated from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.  Kelly was employed by Thrivent Financial for over 27 years and was named the 2020 corporate real estate executive of the year.  He was a board member of the East Downtown Council of Minneapolis.  He attended Incarnation Catholic Church in Minneapolis.  Kelly was an avid snowmobiler, loved the winters of Minnesota, snowmobiling in Yellowstone and northern Wisconsin, and followed meteorology.  He was always well read, loved to engage people in witty conversation about trivia, movies, cars, politics, weather, or a joke.  He attended the Minnesota State Fair for 50 years without missing a year.  He cherished tradition, his family growing up, time at the family lake cabin, negotiating a deal, and demonstrating his expert skills at making popcorn.

Kelly is survived by his mother, Mary Stenzel of Mankato; four siblings, Colleen Van Sickle of Lake Washington, Steven (Sandra) Stenzel, Jeff (Anne) Stenzel all of Mankato, Noelle (Steven) Bruender of Eagle Lake; other family, Dennis Johnson of Minneapolis, daughter, Ashlei Johnson of New Orleans, son, Khyre Dean of Virginia Beach; cousin and friend, Tim Stenzel of Eagle Lake; step-siblings; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and his dog, Cora.

Kelly was preceded in death by his father, Charlie and his brother-in-law, Randy Van Sickle.