April 11, 1919 — April 27, 2008
LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — Maynard Allerd Stenehjem, 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Lake Havasu City Ariz. on April 27, 2008. Maynard was born in Arnegard, N.D. on April 11, 1919, where his family homesteaded. He attended elementary school and graduated from high school there. He and his family relocated to Nebraska during the Dust Bowl.
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Maynard served in the U.S. 35th Infantry Division during World War II in the European theater, earning five battle stars and a bronze star for meritorious service. After the war Maynard attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. degree in agricultural economics. He was honored by induction into Pi Gamma Mu, the National Social Science Honor Society.
After graduation Maynard served as a Colorado agricultural county agent and 4-H leader for several years in Eads and Montrose, Colo. In 1952 he joined the Federal Land Bank of Montrose as bank president, making loans to farmers and ranchers. During his 28-year career in the Federal Land Bank, Maynard also served as Regional Supervisor of Colorado and New Mexico for the Federal Land Bank of Wichita, as well as Secretary Treasurer of the Ninth District Federation and President of the Federal Land Bank of Lamar, Colo.
He was active in the United Methodist Church, particularly in Montrose, where he served on many church boards, taught Sunday school and sponsored the youth fellowship. He served on the school board in Montrose through two major building projects. In 2002 he was honored with a 50-year service award from the Lions Club. He was also especially proud of his Honorary Chapter Farmer degree from the Future Farmers of America. Throughout his working years, he enjoyed fishing, skiing and golfing.
During his 28-year retirement, Maynard enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad, participating in Elder Hostels, visiting with extended family, reading, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. His lifelong hobby was photography, especially landscape photography.
With Marie Westenhoefer of Carson City Nev., his second wife of five years, he established a home in Carson City and built a home in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Betty Stenehjem of Anchorage, Alaska was Maynard's third wife of 10 years, and they summered in Anchorage while continuing to winter in Lake Havasu City.
He is survived by his daughters, Janet Meury and Kay Hyle; his step-daughters, Sheila Sease, Kae Lourie and Suzi Andres; a step-son, Kurt Stenehjem; a brother, Ralph Stenehjem and sisters, Marjorie Thelen and Ruth Coleman, as well as 12 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Oliver and Edgar, sister Geneva Larson, and his three wives.
A celebration of Maynard's life for friends and family is planned for Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Montrose, Colo., at 1 p.m.
Donations in his memory may be made to the World Vision Child Care Ministries Fund at P.O. Box 70399, Tacoma WA 98481-0399.
Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com
Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.
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