Celia Stoen

Celia Stoen, age 85, of Highlandville, Iowa, passed away Tuesday morning, April 21, 2020 at her home. A Private Family Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Hesper Lutheran Church in Hesper, Iowa with Pastor Elaine Siemsen officiating. Inurnment will be in Hesper Lutheran Cemetery. A public Visitation to greet the family will be on Friday, July 10, 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. Face masks are not required but the family recommends them. Celia Edna Grace (Lien) Stoen was born on July 1, 1934 at home on the family farm in Springfield Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer H. and Grace O. (Borness) Lien. She was baptized and confirmed at Springfield Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, Iowa. Celia attended the Nerlie Country School, near the Springfield Lutheran Church and then graduated from Calmar High School in 1952. She worked at Interstate Power Company in Decorah from 1955-1959. Celia was united in marriage to Harold A. Stoen on September 13,1958 at Springfield Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children: Elayne, Edward and Laurel. Celia and Harold farmed for many years. She was a homemaker, raising her children and an active farm wife, helping Harold. She later worked at Master’s Touch in Decorah and Highlandville General Store in Highlandville. Celia was a long-time member of Highland Lutheran Church, where over the course of the years she taught Sunday School, was the church treasurer for many years, and active in WELCA. Later she and Harold became members of Hesper Lutheran Church. Celia loved spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking, and making lefsa. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Deacon Elayne Werges on September 17, 2019; and one brother, Robert Lien. Celia is survived by her husband Harold; one son Edward Stoen of Decorah; one daughter Laurel (Rev. Kip) Groettum of Pine Island, MN; son-in-law Rev. David Werges of Meroa, IA; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Viola Linderbaum of Ossian, IA and Helen Thune of Davenport, IA; and two brothers, Ray (Aurora) Lien of Orlando, FL and Harold (Janice) Lien of Rochester, MN.