Paul Stenger

Paul Nicholas Stenger, wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, at the age of 93. Paul was a loving husband to Jane (nee Rose) Stenger, his wife of 44 years, until her passing in 2001. Paul was a devoted father to his three daughters, Barb (Jack), Jodi (Scott) and Trish; a doting Papa to his seven treasured “greatchildren,” Kevin (Rose), Matt (Megan), Nick (Kelsey), Heidi (Nick), Johnny, Tyler (Hannah) and Andy; and a grateful great-grandfather to great-grandsons, Emmett and Charlie.

Paul was born on October 1, 1933, to Emmett and Lovena (nee Moore) Stenger in Davenport, Iowa, where he spent his youth, alongside his older brothers, Tom and Bill. Paul graduated from Davenport High School in 1951. He then attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana as a Rector Scholar and graduated with high distinction in 1955 with a BA in Economics. While at DePauw, Paul was a member of the Air Force ROTC, Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He also met Jane, a fellow DePauw student and member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority through mutual friends in 1954 and they were married in 1957 in Whitefish Bay.

Paul and Jane moved to Enid, Oklahoma, where Paul served as an officer at Vance Air Force Base and where their daughter, Barbara Lee, was born. Upon completion of his military service, Paul and his family relocated to Wisconsin, where they purchased their first home in Glendale in 1960. The Stenger family was made complete with the births of daughters, Jodi Ann and Patricia Lynn (Trish).

During his 40+-year professional career, Paul worked in corporate insurance management and employee benefit administration at Globe-Union Inc. and then in commercial lending at Grafton State Bank and First Wisconsin Bank. Paul had many hobbies, including oil painting, wood carving and writing humorous poems for family and friends. Paul was a talented landscape artist and wood sculptor, producing countless works of art for his immediate and extended family. He was particularly proud of the personalized Christmas ornaments that he hand-crafted for each of his grandchildren every year. Paul was a member of the Big Sand Lake Club in Phelps, Wisconsin where his wife’s family had purchased a home in 1940. Paul truly enjoyed spending summers up at Big Sand with his ever-expanding family and the many friends he had made over 65 years of life on the lake. His greatest joy was spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and most recently with his great grandsons.

In addition to his wife, Paul was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Tom. In addition to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he is survived by his brother, Bill; and many nieces, nephews, friends and their families. 

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice, especially Nichole and Lisa for their care of Dad and our family throughout his final months. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420