Chester Eugene Stuen, 84, Sturgis, died Sunday, October 12, 2008, at his residence.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. A family service will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Rev. Michael Fox officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Chet was born May 4, 1924, in Irene, SD, to Emanuel and Anna (Lee) Stuen. He grew up in Mission Hill, SD, where he lived on a farm and attended country school. Chet served in the US Army from 1944 until 1946. Following his honorable discharge, Chet returned to South Dakota. He married Marie Alma Stensaas in Volin, SD, on February 9, 1947. The couple farmed in eastern South Dakota until 1953 when they moved to Sturgis. Chester worked at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center from 1954 until 1976 in Nursing Service. After retiring, Chester enjoyed camping, fishing and being a Grandpa to his grandchildren. He also enjoyed repairing lawnmowers. He loved playing cards with friends.

Chester was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church. He was a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW. He and Marie served as custodians at Grace Lutheran Church for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Stuen, Sturgis; one son, Ronald Stuen, Black Hawk, SD; two daughters, Ila Kenoyer and Carolyn Park, both of Sioux Falls, SD; two brothers, Glenn Stuen, Yankton, SD, and Larry Stuen, Simi, CA; four sisters, Anna Schindel, Yankton, SD, Ruth White, Joplin, MO, Alice Christensen, Mesa, AZ, and Eunice Bride, Arcadia, CA; eleven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Norman and Donald Stuen.

Memorials have been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.