Farrah K. Stender Obituary (1977

FARRAH KAY STENDER Farrah Kay Stender, age 32, of Menomonie, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, November 8, 2009, after a courageous six-month battle with brain cancer. Her husband and parents were at her side. She was born September 12, 1977, at Memorial Hospital, Menomonie, WI to Eric and Jan (Rudd) Friest. She attended East and Little Elk Creek Elementary Schools and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1996. She graduated with honors from UW-Stout in 2001 with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, taught summer school for many summers in the Menomonie School District, and worked at Lucas Charter School for two years. She served eight years in the Army Reserves, graduating from Boot Camp at Ft. Jackson, SC, training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, and serving out of Wabasha, MN. She was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant, in 2007. Farrah married Matthew Stender on March 6, 1999, at the New Life Church of the Nazarene, Wheeler, WI. They lived in Menomonie. She grew up in the Menomonie United Methodist Church and recently became a member of Cedarbrook Church, Menomonie. Farrah is survived by her husband Matt; children Tessa, Tori and Colt; her parents; brother Matthew (Missy) Friest; nieces Mackayla and Mackenzie Friest; in-laws Chuck and Sharon Stender; brother-in-law Scott (Stacy) Stender; grandparents Carol Rudd, Janesville, WI, Warren and Ardene Friest, Rockford, IL, and Harold and Jeanette Hansen, Watertown, SD. Also survived by aunts June (Paul) Damrow, Roseville, MN; Jane (Rick) Parod, Elkhorn, NE; Tanis (Roosevelt Toney) Hansen, Stockton, CA; and Dottie Glendinning of Tulare, CA; uncles Jim (Deb) Rudd, Neenah, WI, Gary (Karen) Hansen, Chatfield, MN and Milan (Linda) Hansen, Washington Court House, OH; cousins Adam, Dave and Stacey Parod, Kelly (Dan) Kueffer, Tim Damrow, and Julie and Greg Rudd; and great-aunts Betty Lou (Duane) Teuscher, The Woodlands, TX, Jeraldine (Jim) Gordee, Monroe, WI and Frances (Bill) Colwell, Ft. Worth, TX. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Clarence Rudd, Janesville, WI and special great-great-aunt Lela Gross, Janesville, WI. Dogs Speedy and Jesse preceded her in the weeks immediately before her death. Farrah will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Her children and family were the joy of her life. She was a strong person in so many ways, donating her hair many time to Locks of Love before cancer treatments "got to it," her blood (over 1 gallon) to the American Red Cross, and her time to Knapp Elementary School. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society,2427 N. Hillcrest Pkwy., Altoona, WI 54720; Hope Lodge, 411 2nd St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901; Cedarbrook Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Menomonie, WI 54751, Dunn County Humane Society, 302 Brickyard Rd., Menomonie, WI 54751; Northwest Wisconsin HomeCare (Hospice) 1515 Stout Rd., Menomonie, WI 54751; or to the family for Farrah's children. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at the United Methodist Church, 2703 Bongey Dr., Menomonie, WI with a Memorial Service following at 7:00 pm at the church, Pastor Remy Diederich officiating. Flag presentation will be conducted by Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard. Olson Funeral Home, Menomonie, is serving the family.