Michael L. Stenger

Michael L. Stenger was born on March 7, 1948, to Herbert H. and L. Verrell (Moring) Stenger. Siblings Dee and Chuck were born in the next two years. While attending NIU he met Marie; they married in August of 1969.Together they raised Mickey, Melissa/Mo, and Matt. He passed on May 8, 2023, after suffering a stroke in March.

Mike attended Welsh Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High, West High School, and Northern Illinois University. He was active in Boy Scouts as a youth and later as an adult leader.

While attending NIU he met Marie; they married in August of 1969.He graduated from NIU in 1970 with a degree in marketing. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1973 after being drafted. He took basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He served as the clerk for Field Transportation Company at Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation, California.

After his discharge, Mike returned to work for Eagle Foods where he was hired as a bagger at the age of 16. He moved up to store manager over his 29-year career with Eagle. In 1992 he purchased a Voortman cookie distributorship which he ran for 21 years. In 2013 he sold the cookie route and joined the ranks of the retired.

Long trips often shared with family and day trips created many joyful memories. Early on in his retirement he began volunteering at Cornucopia Food Pantry 2-3 days per week. He helped around St. Bernadette’s working in various roles throughout the years. He especially enjoyed working with the Knights of Columbus. His vegetable garden and his yard were his pride and joy. Mike was a voracious reader, history buff, and sports enthusiast. He was very proud of his 26 gallons of blood donations.

Mike is predeceased by his parents and siblings. He is survived by wife Marie; daughters, Mickey (Christian) Schiller, Mo Stenger (Guillermo Oliden Lattus); son, Matt (Katie) Stenger; grandchildren, Annika, Carson, Addie Schiller, Ruby, and Owen Stenger; sister-in-law Barb Stenger, brother-in-law Gary Rippie; half-brother Ron Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thank you to all the medical personnel at Mercy Riverside, Van Matre, Alden Park Strathmoor, and Family Centered Hospice who helped Mike try to overcome the deficits from his stroke. A huge thank you to Fr. Ricardo Hernandez who visited Mike during his recovery. One week before his death Fr. Ricardo converted Mike to Catholicism.

Visitation Friday July 7 9:30 AM until 10:45 AM in St. Bernadette Parish Center 2400 Bell Ave Rockford, IL. Funeral Mass to follow at 11 AM in the Church. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A luncheon will follow back at the Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers please make memorials to: Cornucopia Food Pantry 402 Market St., Rockford, IL 61107 or Wounded Warriors Project 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family.