Vance Allan Stueness

Vance A. Stueness, age 73, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, formerly of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota died Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at his home under the care of hospice.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 25, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids with Rev. Salim Kaderbhai officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery with military honors provided by the West Central Minnesota Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235, Alexandria Minnesota and the United States Navy. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 24th, 2022 and one hour prior to the service on Monday, both at the church. Memorials are preferred to Grounded No More Veteran Flight Lift.

Vance Allan Stueness was born August 12, 1948, in Ada, Minnesota, the eldest of 5 children of Bennie and Veronica (Berray) Stueness. Vance grew up on the family farm in rural Twin Valley, where his love of agriculture began. He attended school in Twin Valley, graduating with the Class of 1966. Following his graduation, Vance enlisted in the United States Navy in September of 1966. He served on the east and west coasts, before being sent to Vietnam in 1970 as part of a search and rescue team. In December of 1970, Vance was honorably discharged from the Navy. He returned home to Twin Valley and worked for the Twin Valley-Ulen Telephone Company. During this time, he also attended Moorhead Technical College for agricultural sales and management. While taking classes he was offered a job at the Kragnes Farmers Elevator Co. in Sabin. Vance worked there prior to beginning his extensive career with Chipman, now known as Syngenta. He started in sales and worked his way to upper management, overseeing 15 states. Vance spent the last two years of his career starting the seed treatment division for West Central Inc. in Willmar. Around 2008, he officially retired. On June 29, 1985, Vance was united in marriage to the love of his life, LeAnn (nee Chandler) Barron, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota. They made their home on Pelican Lake, near Pelican Rapids for approximately 30 years. The draw of playing golf year-round and not having to deal with Minnesota winters appealed to Vance and Lea; in 2008, they permanently moved to San Tan Valley, Arizona. They return to Minnesota during the summer months to enjoy their fifth wheel at the Forest Hills Golf & RV Center near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

As a proud veteran, Vance was a member the Joe Foss American Legion Post #97 in San Tan Valley, West Central Minnesota Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 in Alexandria, and former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5252 in Pelican Rapids. In addition to his love of golf, Vance also enjoyed boating, traveling, jeeping, and participating in events with his veteran brothers and sisters. Always gracious hosts, Vance and LeAnn often entertained family and friends at their lake home in Pelican Rapids and in later years, they welcomed visitors in Arizona. Vance cherished the time he was able to spend with his family, especially with his 6 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters that he so lovingly adored.

Vance is survived by his wife of 37 years, LeAnn of San Tan Valley, AZ; children, James Stueness (Nancy Blaney) of Twin Valley, Stacie Reierson of Devils Lake, Robert (Heather) Barron of Beulah, ND, and Tiffany (Staffan) Strand of Stocksund, Sweden; 6 grandchildren, Dustin (Courtney) Stueness, Preston Reierson, Nathaniel "Toby" (Malloreigh) Barron, Shea Barron, Samuel Strand, and Sophia Strand; 2 great-granddaughters, Alyson and Alexis Stueness; siblings, Gary (Betty) Stueness of Ada, LaCinda (Richard) Scruggs of Anchorage, Alaska, Kent (Denice) Stueness of Twin Valley, and Shellie Bueng (Mike Milligan) of Glyndon; father-in-law, Ralph Chandler of Twin Valley; brothers-in-law, Ralph (Deirdre) Chandler of Caledonia, ND and Dean (Darlene) Chandler of Queen Creek, AZ; sister-in-law, Cheryl (Dean) Dormanen of Gilbert, AZ;  and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie Stueness and Veronica Hoven; mother-in-law, Charlotte Chandler; niece, Tiffany Burdett; and great-nieces, Dayton Vigesaa-Avery and TRE Burdett.

Dusty Stueness, Preston Reierson, Toby Barron, Shea Barron, Sam Strand, and Korey Bueng will serve as casket bearers. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale. 

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute & Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

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