Earle was born on April 29, 1942, to Henry and Lucilla (Rollenhagen) Stevermer in Easton, MN. After graduating from Wells High School in 1960, Earle attended the University of Minnesota-St. Paul campus for agricultural studies. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1963 and served in Germany until 1966. He returned to Wells where he met his wife, Patricia Irvin, who was teaching Home Economics there at the time. They were married on June 14, 1969, at St. Casimir Catholic Church. Earle enjoyed a 32-year career as a field supervisor with Del Monte, starting in Wells and transferring to the Sleepy Eye, MN plant in 1970. Earle was an avid bowler, amassing many trophies for his efforts. He was also an avid golfer, but without the same success as bowling. He enjoyed gardening both vegetables and flowers, particularly his lovely rose garden.
Earle was a community servant. He was a council member on the Sleepy Eye City Council for 21 years. He served on the Sleepy Eye High School Athletic Booster Club board and the Sleepy Eye Golf Club board, many years as president of each. He was a long-standing member of the Lions Club, volunteered his time coaching golf and running the clock at Sleepy Eye Indians football and basketball games, and ushered for many years at St. Mary’s Church. He and Pat opened their home to an AFS student from Iceland, Þorbjörn (BJ) Ólafsson. Earle especially enjoyed listening to polka or marching band music or the Statler Brothers and watching any kind of sporting event, particularly if it involved the Sleepy Eye Indians, the Minnesota Gophers, or the Minnesota Vikings. Earle was a conversationalist and could visit with most anyone. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and loved them dearly.
Earle is survived by his wife, Pat, of nearly 54 years; children: Darcie (Matt) Bien of Brookings, SD, Chad (Kimberly) Stevermer of West Fargo, ND, and Nathan (Nicole) Stevermer of Sleepy Eye; six grandchildren: Nicholas, Erica, and Heidi Bien, Hannah and Kylie Stevermer, and Henry Stevermer; sisters: Lorna Feist of Wells, MN, Rita (Dave) Craft of Key Biscayne, FL, Mary (Gene) Beckmann of Green Bay, WI, Kaydra Lee of Algoma, WI, and Lynette (Paul) Lair of Emmons, MN; a brother, Roland (Janice) of Blaine, MN; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant twin brother, Merle, and brother, Glenn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Sleepy Eye Public School Athletic Booster Club, Sleepy Eye Education Foundation Scholarship Fund, or the Lion’s Club.
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