Eldridge Stuefen

Eldridge John Stuefen was born on July 27, 1934 to Theodore “Ted” and Linda (Smith) Stuefen on the family farm in Lincoln County. From a young age, Eldridge knew how to put in a hard day of work. His parents were hard workers and they instilled that value in him. Eldridge graduated from Lake Benton High School in Lake Benton, Minnesota in 1953. Following high school, Eldridge enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 3, 1953. He proudly served until he was honorably discharged on August 2, 1955. On October 26, 1957, Eldridge was united in marriage to Joan Busselman at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with the birth of their children, Neil and Jay. Joan passed away on July 15, 2024. The couple celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage together.

Eldridge was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. He was also a member of the Henry Solie American Legion Post 10. He enjoyed participating in the Lake Benton Saddle Horse Days, where he would ride in the parades. Eldridge worked many jobs throughout his life; he worked at the Lake Benton Elevator for many years before he began trucking with Al Lindemann Trucking. He loved trucking and had continued to truck until his late 80’s, when he was working for Apple Trucking. Eldridge was a man of few words but his love for his family was strong. He always showed up to his children’s sporting events, even after a long day of work. He continued to show up for as many events his grandchildren were in as he could. Although Eldridge never really retired, he did enjoy watching gameshows and Western movies and could frequently be found cheering on the Twins. Eldridge passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025 at the Sunrise Manor Nursing Home in Tyler, Minnesota, at the age of 91 years, four months and five days.

Eldridge is lovingly remembered by his sons, Neil Stuefen of Arco, Minnesota, and Jay (Janel) Stuefen of Lake Benton, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Cindy (Evan) Faulds of Lennox, South Dakota, Justin (Kelsey) Stuefen of Balaton, Minnesota, Greg (Charis) Stuefen of Lake Benton, and Jenna (Tim) Schrunk of Balaton; nine great-grandchildren, Camden Faulds, Chase Faulds, Jalyn Faulds, Masey Stuefen, Holden Stuefen, Taetum Stuefen, Aubryn Stuefen, Tucker Schrunk and Teagan Schrunk; and siblings, Aledain Mohror of Muscatine, Iowa and Eugene (Sharon) Stuefen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Eldridge was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Stuefen; his parents, Ted and Linda Stuefen; infant great-grandsons, Jerritt, Jace and Jack Stuefen; sisters, Veda Thomsen and Arlene Stuefen; brothers-in-law, Don Busselman and John Thomsen Sr.; daughter-in-law, Wendy Stuefen; and in-laws, Vivian and Frederick Busselman.