Karl I. Stenerson

Karl Iver Stenerson, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

Karl was born with twin sister Karen on May 17, 1946 in Harding, Montana to Edson Richard Stenerson and Anna Irene Iverson Stenerson, along with brothers Edson Mikal “Micky”, David, and Jerry.  Karl grew up on a sheep ranch in Ladner, South Dakota.  He was joined by six more siblings; Robert, Myrna, Leanna, Dianna, and Joe.  He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Ladner and graduated high school in Buffalo, SD, where he was active in sports including football, basketball, and track.

Karl served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1968, training for 18 months in the US, then spent 18 months in Germany, as a sergeant working with tanks, military maneuvers, and border patrol.  After serving in the military, he moved to Belvidere, IL and worked at Chrysler.  It was during this time he met his wife Barbara Ann McMillan, through mutual friends. They married on March 8, 1969 in Lowell, WI and resided in Hustisford, WI for many years.  They were soon joined by the birth of their daughter Angela, and then six years later by their son Chad.  Karl began working as a water well driller and eventually became sole proprietor of Stenerson Well Drilling in 1986.  He continued to drill wells until his health prevented him with his diagnosis of lung cancer in 2022.  The family moved to Beaver Dam, WI in 1983, then to the Mayville area in 1992, where he resided until his death.

Karl spent many springs returning to South Dakota to work on a sheep shearing crew with his brothers.  Karl was good at fixing things and had the ability to learn quickly.  He completed an automotive electronics course from 1972-1976, and studied and passed the realtors exam in the 1980’s. He was a do-it-yourself person.  He fixed and painted many cars over the years for additional income.  He and Barb built a house in Hustisford, then remodeled their homes in Beaver Dam and Mayville.   They enjoyed traveling, especially to the Caribbean islands via cruise ships, often with friends and family.  His favorite was a cruise through the Panama Canal and a family trip to Germany to visit their exchange student, Phillip Marquardt.

Karl was a member of First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam.  He was known to be kind and generous.  He was a very devoted father and husband.  When Barb developed dementia, he was her amazing caregiver and continued to take her on many trips to visit family, until her passing in July, 2019.   After Barb’s passing, Karl joined a grief group, where he met Leslie Fischer.  Her companionship and sense of humor brought him great joy in his final years.

Karl is survived by his girlfriend, Leslie Fischer, daughter Angela Olson (Jeff), son Chad Stenerson; grandchildren Remington Olson, Maria Olson, Ariana Austin, and Garrett Stenerson; brothers Micky Stenerson, Robert Stenerson (Dawn), and Joseph Stenerson (Cheri); sisters Myrna Gumpenburger (Robby), Leanna Short (Nathan Spicer), and Dianna Gray (Alvin Kasper); sister-in-law Linda Stenerson, brother-in-law Sherman Ruona, sister-in-law Avis Kalinowski, brother-in-law Len McMillan (Karen).  Many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, an infant daughter Tara (twin to Chad), twin sister Karen Ruona, brothers David Stenerson and Jerry Stenerson, and his parents Edson and Anna Stenerson.

A visitation will be held at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m.  Rev. Jim Wendt will officiate.  Military honors will immediately follow the funeral at the funeral home.  Inurnment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens, township of Trenton at a later date.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, Beaver Dam.

Chad and Angie would like to thank Dr. Trotier at the Madison VA and Commonheart Hospice, and special thank you to Leslie Fischer for the love and care she provided Karl in his last days.