Henry Stiklestad

Stoughton- Henry "Hank" P. Stiklestad, age 94, passed away on Friday, September 23, 2011 at the Stoughton Hospital after a short illness. He was born in Cottage Grove on April 25, 1917, the son of Martin and Louise (Jordalen) Stiklestad. On June 6, 1944 Hank was united in marriage to Helen M. Whaley. He was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church. Hank was very involved in the Township of Pleasant Springs, acting as assessor, on the land use committee and worked the polls at the township for many years. Over the years he has worked as a mechanic at Witte Farr and Frost in Cottage Grove, Uniroyal in Stoughton and was best known as owner and operator of Stiklestad Stables for many years. Hank spent many years involved with the horse and pony shows at both the Stoughton Junior Fair and the Dane County Fair. Hank loved spending time with his family, especially watching his grandchildren walking fences, climbing trees and riding horses on the farm. He was commonly seen sitting in the front lawn willing to wave or talk to anyone passing by. Hank is survived by his wife, Helen; his children, Michael (Karen Butler) of Mississippi, Dale (Susan) of Stoughton and Susan (Donald) Denner of Stoughton; grandchildren, Rebecca (Andy) Jarzynski of Eau Claire, Kate (Jeff) Peterson of Egg Harbor, Kevin and Brian Stiklestad of Evansville, Jaime Denner of Madison, Kjersten (Jeff) Janowski of Stoughton and Andrew Denner of Milwaukee; great grandchildren, James and Kasia Jarzynski and Gabriel Peterson; brothers, Obert of Stoughton and Wilbur of Brooklyn; sister, Gladys of Belleville; a special nephew, David Whaley; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Barbara Hubing and Jeanne Lane; brothers, Carl and Roger; and sisters, Marie Moe and Helen Ditsch. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at First Lutheran Church, 310 E. Washington Street, Stoughton, with Rev. Richard Halom officiating. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery South. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon, following the burial, in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton and from 10:00 AM until the time of services on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the Skaalen Home Heritage Center, Dr. Joyce Brehm and the staff of Stoughton Hospital.