Paul Conrad Stennes

Paul Conrad Stennes of New Richland, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. He was 97 years old.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Richland, Minnesota, with visitation two hours prior to the service at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Saint Olaf Cemetery, New Richland, Minnesota. Pastor Peg Marose will officiate. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, has been honored with assisting the family.

Paul Conrad Stennes was born on September 10, 1928, on the family farm in New Richland Township to Peder and Clara (Iverson) Stennes. He grew up in the New Richland area and attended country school through eighth grade, where he learned several different national languages. He worked hard on the family farm with his two sisters. Paul was a lifelong resident of New Richland, knew everything about the community, and helped out any way he could. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and remained a lifelong member.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marines and served in the Korean War, was honorably discharged, returned to the area, and worked several jobs until he opened his own business, Stennes Garage. On December 22, 1953, he married Blossom Lafayette where he met at the Castleloma Dance Hall in Alma City. Paul started the New Richland Snowbirds snowmobile club in the early 1970s, where he designed, groomed, and repaired snowmobiles. He did custom farm work for years, did lumberjacking, enjoyed stock car racing, Tractor pulling, fishing, and snowmobiling. His final venture was working as a bus mechanic for NRHEG High School until his retirement. Paul attended the Clay County Fair for 67 years, missing only during COVID. He was well known everywhere he went. He was a member of the Waseca VFW Sweet Summers Post 1642 and the New Richland American Legion Post 75. He enjoyed camping and spending time with his family and friends. Paul was outspoken, opinionated, and motivated. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and by those who heard the stories of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Blossom; his children: Roger (Lee) Stennes, Pete (Jane) Stennes, Betty Berg, Chico “Brian” Stennes, and Beth (Rick) O’Brien; grandchildren: Misty (Christopher) Kaiser, Nakia (Janelle) Berg, Sonny Berg, Caitlyn and Ashley O’Brien, Ronald (Carla) Stennes, Steven (Irene) Stennes, Jennifer Thorson, Abraham Smith and Selena Smith; and by several great grandchildren and by other loved ones and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; his sons, Steven and Paul Jr. “Bozo”; his sisters, Isabel (Dick) Frisk and Hazel (Harvey) Thompson; and a baby brother.