Mary Louise Stenzel

Mary Louise Stenzel, age 88, of Lake Washington, died on October 26, 2023 at The Pillars of Mankato. 

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.  Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Mary was born August 14, 1935 to Richard and Malinda (Dehring) Lutz.  She graduated from Minnesota Lake High School in 1953.  In 1953, she became the very first “Festag Queen” of Minnesota Lake’s Festival of Agriculture.  Mary began to work at the Mankato Telephone Company as an Operator.  Mary was united in marriage to Charlie Stenzel on November 16, 1953.  They owned and operated Stenzel Construction for over 30 years.  Charlie died in 1986 and Mary then married Jim Volz on August 25, 1995.  Mary also had her own business of owning and operating apartment buildings throughout Mankato.  She finally retired in 2016 after more than 40 years in the rental property business.  Mary had many interests that included time at the lake, card clubs, cross stitch, vacationing, cooking, baking, especially pies, and holiday candy making.  Mary enjoyed the Minnesota Vikings and was a season ticket holder for many years.  Mary loved being social, having parties, and especially loved her birthday celebrations, everyone was expected to wear a party hat.  She made holidays the absolute best, especially Christmas.  Mary was especially proud of her Irish heritage.  She was always quick with a joke and lit up the room.  She loved time spent with her family and friends, she was the best Mom ever and doted on her grandchildren. 

Mary is survived by her children, Colleen Van Sickle of Lake Washington, Steve (Sandy) Stenzel of Mankato, Jeff (Anne) Stenzel of Mankato, and Noelle (Steve) Bruender of Eagle Lake; grandchildren, Sally (Jimm) McShane, Jennifer (Jimmy) Groebner, Mariah (Phillip) Schroader, Josh Bruender, Jack Stenzel, Charles (Sam) Polzel, and Nick Van Sickle; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Lucas, Adalyn, Zoey Louise, Finnegan, and Andrew; other family, Dennis Johnson and his daughter, Ashlei (Jordan) Rice and his son, Khyre Dean; step-children, Sister Mary Patricia Volz, CR, Kathy (Dennis) Heine, Roger (Jodi) Volz, Linda Haupt, and Ann (Tim) Nix; many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Pat Stenzel and Gloria Stenzel. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Charlie and Jim; son, Kelly; son-in-law, Randy Van Sickle; step-son, Jimmy Volz; siblings, Melvin (Elsie) Lutz, Electa (Andy) Schommer, Audrey (Ed) Hammond, and Bud (Vera) Lutz; niece, Tracey Williams; other extended family members; and her many beloved dogs. 

Mary received excellent care later in life.  Her family would like to thank Brighton Hospice, The Pillars of Mankato, and Parker, the resident therapy dog.