NYLA LEA STEARNS, age 91, of Luverne, died Thursday, October 15, 2015, at the Adrian Country Living Cottage in Adrian. She was born July 22, 1924, in Magnolia Township, rural Rock County, to Earnest and Myrtle (Lehmann) Kleine. She attended country school in rural Magnolia. Nyla moved out to California and worked for Lockheed Airplane Company during WWII. She later returned to Luverne and met Joel Stearns.
Nyla married Joel Stearns on March 30, 1946, at the First Baptist Church in Luverne. After their marriage, the couple farmed in the Rock County area. In 1970, the couple moved to Luverne where they owned & operated Al's Grocery & Gas. In 1983, they moved to the Stearns family homestead east of Luverne.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Luverne; and was very active in the Luverne Senior Citizens where she volunteered many hours. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, puzzles and board games especially Scrabble & Yahtzee.
Nyla is survived by her seven children, Ruth (Rolly) Johnson, Tyler; Edward Stearns, Luverne; David (Diane) Stearns, Luverne; Nancy (Daniel) Blomgren, Clear Lake; Walter (Kathe) Stearns, Luverne; Susan (Bob) Egan, Adrian; and Carol (Ken) Seumalo, Redlands,CA; sixteen grandchildren; thirty four great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; two brothers, Dallas Kleine, Bullhead City, AZ; and Thomas (Penny) Kleine, Summerville, SC; and four sisters, Joyce (Glen) Hawes, Mission, TX; Mildred (John) Steece, Luverne; Mary (Floyd) Kraetsch, Luverne; and Janis Glapa, Menomonee, WI.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joel, in 1996; grandson, Casey Egan; four brothers, Rodney, William, Donald, and Louis; and six sisters, Marian, Margaret, Evelyn, Barbara, Helen and Patty.
Visitation will be Monday from 4-7 pm at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, in Luverne, officiated by Pastor Richard Lauger. Burial will be in the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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