Gayle A. Stellmacher, age 73, of Renville passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024 at River Valley Health and Rehabilitation in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from Evangelical Free Church in Redwood Falls with burial to follow in the Middle Creek Church Cemetery in rural Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 9:30 until 11:00 am at the church. The Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Morgan and Redwood Falls are in charge of the arrangements.
Gayle Annette Stellmacher, the daughter of Clayton and Edythe (McLain) Larson, was born on August 16, 1950, in Minot, North Dakota. She spent her childhood growing up in the Minot, ND area along with her sisters, Twyla Fitzgerald and Clarissa Logan and her brother, Jon Larson. After high school, Gayle moved to Minnesota where she met and married Bruce D. Haala, they later divorced. Together they had three daughters. Years later some long-time friends introduced her to Donn L. Stellmacher, they soon were married June 1, 1985, at the Middle Creek United Methodist Church and began their new life together on the farm. Rural living suited Gayle—she loved the outdoors, animals, planting and reaping fresh garden foods, and tending to flowerbeds. Although Gayle worked various jobs in retail and sales, the years she spent caring for and spending time with her grandchildren were the best. She was a friend to many and looked to help others, gather for coffee, peruse antique and gift shops, or simply share in conversation and laughter with someone. To her, a stranger was someone she just didn’t know yet.
Gayle will be dearly missed by not only her husband Donn but also her children: Tammy Haala of Mesa, AZ, Becky (Tom) Koeberl of Hector, and Shelly Lehnhoff of Minot, ND. She was incredibly loved by her grandchildren: Greg Haala, Vinnie Haala, Rachel Jeppesen, Ryan Jeppesen, Logan Haala, Lyndsy Trebesch, Kaydence Hoppke, Koltyn Hoppke and great-granddaughter, Alaia Clark. She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; aunts, uncles and brother-in-laws; her sister, Clarissa; and granddaughter, Shayna Haala.