Larry Stenzel

Larry Gene Stenzel went home to be with the Lord on May 16, 2026, at Sutter Hospital in Sacramento, CA, with family by his side.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Friday August 21,2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, 814 W Brooks Street, Arlington, MN. Visitation will be one hour before the service at church. Burial will be at the Arlington Public Cemetery. Lunch to follow in church social hall.

Larry was born July 20, 1949, in Arlington, MN, to Albin and Mildred (Bartels) Stenzel. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Arlington–Green Isle High School, graduating in 1967. He went on to earn a BA from the University of Minnesota in 1971. After college, Larry moved to Reno, NV where he was a VISTA volunteer providing community services to the area. In 1973 he became the assistant planner at the Washoe County, NV Community Services Agency.

Sacramento became Larry’s home in 1975 when he took a position at the Sacramento Area Economic Opportunity Council, he remained in Sacramento for the rest of his life. A writer at heart, he published several novels through his own company, Samuel Powell Publishing, beginning in 1979. He also spent many years surrounded by another love – books – working at Barry Cassidy’s Rare Books from 1985 to 2019. Along the way, he contributed his talents as a consultant to Mogavero Notestine Associates (1984–2006).

Larry quietly gave much of himself to others. He served his community through leadership roles with Resources for Independent Living (1986–2020) and the Sacramento Housing Alliance (1999–2001). At St. John’s Lutheran Church, he was an active and faithful member, serving on the church council and supporting ministries including St. John’s Shelter for women and children.

If you had to sum up Larry in one word, it would be kindness. It showed up in big ways and small ones – from his life’s work in service and charity, to faithfully calling his mom every week, to the steady stream of calendars and birthday cards he sent to family and friends. You always knew he cared and was thinking about you.

Larry genuinely loved people. When he asked, “How is life going for you?” it wasn’t just a polite question – he listened, thoughtfully and fully, and offered his perspective with sincerity. He had a gift for conversation and connection.

Larry was kindhearted and witty, with an eclectic taste in art, music, history, and books. He enjoyed walking through his neighborhood, meeting people along the way, collecting art, and diving deep into whatever topic caught his interest. He was thoughtful and reflective, always considering the world around him and how things could be better.

He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered

Larry is survived by his sister Pam Stenzel; sister-in-law Judy Stenzel; uncles Marvin (Pat) Bartels and Ed Scheele; and his nieces and nephews and their families – Jessica (Ryan) Rieland, Jennifer (Kevin) Griffith, Ben (Gwen) Stenzel, Jena (Dino) Tack, Jonathan (Desiree) Stenzel, Joshua Stenzel (Tom Allen), Joe (Stephanie) Stenzel, and Jacob Stenzel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Roger, Jeanette, and Jerry Stenzel.