Gene Frederick Stensland, 68, Buffalo

Gene Frederick Stensland, 68, of Buffalo passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital after a 22 day stay due to COVID-19.
Gene was born Nov. 14, 1952 in Rochester, the son of Fred and Edna (Erath) Stensland. He attended high school in Kenyon and went on to graduate from UM Waseca School of Agriculture in 1973.
Gene then moved to Watertown and started his life long career of selling farm implement parts. Farm numbers were important to Gene; who else would use a Case IH piece of equipment as their phone password? To farmers, his friends and customers he was the ultimate farm parts guy. He enjoyed several years of tractor pulling, with one of the tractors being Art Fortwengler’s 560 Int’l. In later years he enjoyed watching the tractor pulls with family or friends.
On April 29, 1978 Gene was united in marriage to Diane Salonek at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown. Without fail on the 29th of each month thereafter, he’d roll over in bed and say “Happy Anniversary.” Diane truly felt blessed. He was one in a million.
Gene and Diane were blessed with, and proud of, their three children: Brian, Jason and Lisa. Many have commented on the wonderful traits of the kids; they had a good teacher. He also adored their grandchildren: Maria, Connor, Chloe and Breanna.
He enjoyed hanging out with the grandkids, watching the older grandchildren’s sporting events and having google duos with the youngest granddaughter. He loved to tell jokes to the grandkids and enjoyed hearing their jokes too.
Family was very important to him and he treasured the time spent with them; playing 500 or Euchre was one of his favorite pastimes. Gene had a big heart and he loved helping others. He found joy in working alongside his brothers-in-law in the field, running to get parts for farmers, researching info on farm equipment or Cub Cadet lawn mowers for people, and fixing what he could for others. He will be missed by family and many friends as he had many gifts and talents he shared.
Gene was active in the St. Francis of Xavier Catholic Church participating in men’s group and Knights of Columbus.  Gene was so looking forward to the second annual Knights of Columbus toy farm show he was helping organize.
Gene is survived by wife, Diane; children, Brian (Tammy) Stensland, Jason Stensland, and Lisa (Travis) Senear; sister, Kay Stensland; grandchildren, Maria Stensland, Chloe Stensland, Connor Stensland, and Breanna Senear; father-in- law, Alfred Salonek; mother-in-law, Elizabeth (Lachermeier) Salonek; brothers-in-law, John (Lori) Salonek, Dan (Sharon) Salonek; sister-in-law, Bonnie Salonek; cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous friends. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Fred & Edna (Erath) Stensland; brothers-in-law, Bob Salonek and Jerry Salonek.
Private visitation will take place. 
Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo. Interment was at St. Francis Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will also take place during the spring of 2021.
While flowers are welcome, contributions may instead be sent to the Gene Stensland Memorial Fund at the MidCountry Bank in Buffalo, MN.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo served the family. On-line condolences can be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com