1940
Earl
2017
Earl Stottler
November 5, 1940 — May 13, 2017
Memorial services for Earl Stottler of Starbuck, MN will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, with Reverend Todd Klemme officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Minnewaska Lutheran Church in Starbuck and for one hour prior to the service at Fron Lutheran Church on Saturday. Burial will be at Minnewaska Lutheran Cemetery.
Earl Lester Stottler, son of Leo and Thelma (Smith) Stottler, was born November 5, 1940 on a farm in Hoff Township near Clontarf, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Benson, MN. Earl attended country school, Hancock and Benson Schools, later graduating from Princeton High School in 1958. Earl loved all sports but especially wrestling, securing a state title in 1958. He went on to wrestle for the University of Minnesota. Earl continued his education at Moorhead State College in Moorhead, where he also was on the wrestling team, becoming MSC’s first NAIA national champ in 1961. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Jorgensen on March 2, 1963 at Western Presbyterian Church in Fergus Falls, MN. To this union of 54 years, two sons Wade and Shaun were born. Earl graduated from North Dakota State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in education. He taught his first year in Milbank, SD and then moved with his family to Starbuck, where he taught and was head wrestling coach and assistant football coach for many years. In his early years, he also coached baseball. In 1986, health concerns forced him to give up coaching. He continued to teach in Starbuck, until his retirement in 1996. Following his retirement, Earl continued to operate Stottler Lawn Service. Earl showed much courage and determination after a massive stroke in December of 2011 left him with many health issues. Earl lived at his home in Starbuck until the time of his death. Earl’s greatest asset was his ability to work with people, listen to them, and provide a sense of humor when things were tough.
Earl was a member of Minnewaska Lutheran Church, Morris Jaycees, Starbuck Lions, Starbuck City Council, Minnewaska Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association, The David Bartelma MWCA Hall of Fame, MSUM Athletics Dragons Hall of Fame, The Minnesota Chapter of NWCA Hall of Fame, and The Minnewaska Laker Foundation Hall of Fame. He enjoyed “coffee with the guys and friends,” hunting, fishing, especially the annual Canadian fishing trip, golfing and most of all spending time with his family.
Earl passed away peacefully at his home in Starbuck on Saturday, May 13, 2017. He was 76 years old.
He is survived by his wife: Kathleen Stottler of Starbuck; two sons: Wade (Julie) Stottler of Parkers Prairie and Shaun (Tammy) Stottler of Glenwood; four grandchildren: Nathan, Michael, Zachary and Ryan Stottler; six siblings: Lauren (Mary) Stottler of Broomfield, CO, Leota (Arthur) Maughan of Fargo, ND, Arlys Kreis of Northfield, Margie Winkelman of Princeton, Gary (Debbie) Stottler of Princeton and Connie (Paul) McMahon of Bloomington; brothers-in-law: Craig (Rebecca) Jorgensen of Fergus Falls, and Martin (Jan Hanson) Lueders of Fridley; sisters-in-law: Joan Stottler of Rush City, Margaret Stottler of Bloomfield, NE, Patti Olson of Plymouth and Linda (Marv) Kangas of Zimmerman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: George, Robert and Glen Stottler; nephews: Jason, Brandon and Mark Stottler; brothers-in-law: John Kreis and Richard D. Olson; sister-in-law: Carole Lueders and many aunts and uncles.
Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.starbuckfh.com
Earl 's Memorial Folder
Earl Lester Stottler, son of Leo and Thelma (Smith) Stottler, was born November 5, 1940 on a farm in Hoff Township near Clontarf, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Benson, MN. Earl attended country school, Hancock and Benson Schools, later graduating from Princeton High School in 1958. Earl loved all sports but especially wrestling, securing a state title in 1958. He went on to wrestle for the University of Minnesota. Earl continued his education at Moorhead State College in Moorhead, where he also was on the wrestling team, becoming MSC’s first NAIA national champ in 1961. He was united in marriage to Kathleen Jorgensen on March 2, 1963 at Western Presbyterian Church in Fergus Falls, MN. To this union of 54 years, two sons Wade and Shaun were born. Earl graduated from North Dakota State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in education. He taught his first year in Milbank, SD and then moved with his family to Starbuck, where he taught and was head wrestling coach and assistant football coach for many years. In his early years, he also coached baseball. In 1986, health concerns forced him to give up coaching. He continued to teach in Starbuck, until his retirement in 1996. Following his retirement, Earl continued to operate Stottler Lawn Service. Earl showed much courage and determination after a massive stroke in December of 2011 left him with many health issues. Earl lived at his home in Starbuck until the time of his death. Earl’s greatest asset was his ability to work with people, listen to them, and provide a sense of humor when things were tough.
Earl was a member of Minnewaska Lutheran Church, Morris Jaycees, Starbuck Lions, Starbuck City Council, Minnewaska Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association, The David Bartelma MWCA Hall of Fame, MSUM Athletics Dragons Hall of Fame, The Minnesota Chapter of NWCA Hall of Fame, and The Minnewaska Laker Foundation Hall of Fame. He enjoyed “coffee with the guys and friends,” hunting, fishing, especially the annual Canadian fishing trip, golfing and most of all spending time with his family.
Earl passed away peacefully at his home in Starbuck on Saturday, May 13, 2017. He was 76 years old.
He is survived by his wife: Kathleen Stottler of Starbuck; two sons: Wade (Julie) Stottler of Parkers Prairie and Shaun (Tammy) Stottler of Glenwood; four grandchildren: Nathan, Michael, Zachary and Ryan Stottler; six siblings: Lauren (Mary) Stottler of Broomfield, CO, Leota (Arthur) Maughan of Fargo, ND, Arlys Kreis of Northfield, Margie Winkelman of Princeton, Gary (Debbie) Stottler of Princeton and Connie (Paul) McMahon of Bloomington; brothers-in-law: Craig (Rebecca) Jorgensen of Fergus Falls, and Martin (Jan Hanson) Lueders of Fridley; sisters-in-law: Joan Stottler of Rush City, Margaret Stottler of Bloomfield, NE, Patti Olson of Plymouth and Linda (Marv) Kangas of Zimmerman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: George, Robert and Glen Stottler; nephews: Jason, Brandon and Mark Stottler; brothers-in-law: John Kreis and Richard D. Olson; sister-in-law: Carole Lueders and many aunts and uncles.
Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences to the family please visit www.starbuckfh.com
Earl 's Memorial Folder
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Earl Stottler, please visit our flower store.