Scott J. “Scooter” Stendel, 46, of Decorah, died Monday, June 23, at his home, following a farming accident.

    Mass of Christian Burial will be 1p.m. Friday, June 27, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood-Centennial Cemetery, Ossian.

    Friends may call from 3 - 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday morning from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

    Scott Joseph “Scooter” Stendel was born December 1, 1961, the son of Earl and Arlene (Bodensteiner) Stendel in Decorah. Scott graduated from South Winn High School in 1980. While in school, he was active in chorus, drama and FFA. After high school, he started farming near Waukon. Scooter loved his Dad, “Earl the Pearl” and enjoyed his farming advice. Scott married Elaine Steinlage on June 5, 1981 at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union. To this union, two daughters were born: Dawn and Dana. Scott received the Iowa FFA Degree and the American Farmer Degree in 1982. In 1989, they moved to their current farm and together they milked Registered Holsteins at Scooter Haven. Scott’s knees forced them to sell the cows in 1995, in 2000 and again in 2003. After the first sale, Scott was an AI Tech for Select Sires. He enjoyed showing dairy cattle and in 2002, had the Grand Champion Holstein Cow at the Iowa State Fair. Scott and the family has been a regular at the Iowa State Fair since 1994, loving every moment he was there. He then got back into raising and selling show pigs along with Limousin beef calves, and enjoyed giving advice to all kids with their 4-H and FFA projects. He loved kids, aside being a ‘big’ kid himself and loved playing Santa Claus for the Camp David Christmas party. After knee surgery, Scott got his CDL and he drove truck for Johnny Lensch and currently for Rick Hughes and the Frankville Haulers. For the past two years, Scott did a lot of cell phone farming and loved to talk on his phone. Scooter was known as “Dr. Kevorkian” and a “genetic wizard” for all livestock breeds; giving animal advice to many. Scooter enjoyed being a “weekend warrior” for Arnie Dahlen over the years. Scooter loved going to fairs, singing and music. Scott was instrumental in re-starting the Bloomfield Jr. Farmers 4-H Club and Winn. Co. Dairy Club and would go out of his way to make kids succeed. Scott and Elaine recently enjoyed riding their motorcycle together. He was an excellent storyteller and could pull the best pranks (including the famous Tractor Shower) and liked getting in and out of those darn “cajangers”! Scott was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Dist. 1 and the National Holstein Assn., Winn. Co. Dairy Council, Farm Bureau, National Swine Assn. & Pork Producers.

    Scott’s survivors include his wife, Elaine Stendel, Decorah. Two daughters: Dawn (Stephen) Mausser, Rickardsville, and Dana Stendel, Decorah. His mother: Arlene Stendel, Castalia. Three sisters: Pam (Doug) Buddenberg, Castalia; Karla (Ken) Hanson, Elgin, and Kim (Dave) Paul, Maynard. His father and mother-in-law: Florian and Leona Steinlage, West Union. Two sisters-in-law: Carol (Keith) Knox, Alpha, and Lois (Bruce) Buchheit, Lawler. Two brothers-in-law: Gary Steinlage, West Union, and Loran (Brenda) Steinlage, West Union. Elaine’s grandparents: Ervin and Wilma Sabelka, New Hampton. Twenty-three nieces and nephews: Brittany (Justin) Heins and son Decklyn, Bridget (Matt) Lechtenberg, Blake Buddenberg; Chelsey, Collin and Claire Hanson; Nicholas, Stephanie and Lindsay Paul; Jason (Kayla) Steinlage and daughter Addison; Justin Steinlage; Stacy and Cody Cline; Lucas Steinlage, Katie Steinlage, Jentry, Rhett and Joey Woltzen; Renee, Reid and Riley Buchheit; Kelli, Rollin and Kassi Steinlage.

    Scott was preceded in death by his father: Earl Stendel on Sept. 28, 2002. His grandparents: Greg and Agnes Bodensteiner and Miles and May Ames. Two nieces: Hailey and Hannah Buchheit. One aunt: June Bodensteiner and one uncle: Leo Bodensteiner.

    The family suggests memorials in memory of Scott, to the Scott “Scooter” Stendel Memorial Fund, % Elaine Stendel, 2222 - 133rd Avenue, Decorah, IA 52101.