Roger Dennis Stenhoff, 81, of Spring Grove, Minn., passed away March 4, 2026, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston from complications related to dementia.
Born March 6, 1944, in Minneapolis to Reuben and Iris Stenhoff, Roger served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1968 as a radio operator aboard the USS Nicholas, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.
Roger attended St. Cloud State from 1968 to 1972, studying philosophy and English, where he met his future wife, Karen Ann Schultz. They married on May 12, 1973, and the next morning headed to their country log home on their 40-acre farm along Bee Creek, pulling a trailer packed with goats, garden plants, a mattress, 100 lbs of brown rice, 50 lbs of rolled oats, and a dog – beginning a life together that would span 53 years.
Roger operated Stenhoff Construction as a residential remodeling contractor and carpenter, building two family homes and renovating many others in the community. He served on the Spring Grove School Board, Trinity Lutheran Church Property Commission, and the Houston County Soil and Water Commission Board.
He cherished time with his daughters, grandchildren Reese, Lennox, Vivian, Sage, Oliver and Eleanor; and loved woodworking, gardening, beekeeping, and the outdoors. He also enjoyed NPR and lifelong learning.
Roger is survived by his wife, daughters Kelly, Andrea (Travis) Pearson, and Emily (Spencer Strunic), six grandchildren, and sisters Faith, Sheryl, Patty and Beverly.
A celebration of life will be held in summer 2026. Cremation was handled by Hoff Funeral Home in Chatfield, with military interment at the Preston Veterans Cemetery and some remains scattered on the family farm.
Special thanks to the Minnesota Veterans Home – Preston, where he was surrounded with love for two years and especially in the last two months of his life.
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