Paul Arden Stenhjem, 86

Paul Arden Stenhjem, 86, of Excelsior, Minnesota passed away on March 25, 2024. Paul was born on March 16, 1938 in Rugby, North Dakota. After graduating from high school in Devils Lake, North Dakota, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of North Dakota and later completed a master’s degree.

Although Paul was an artist first, his path led him to teaching art and photography at Austin High School in Austin, Minnesota for over 30 years. During this time, he continued to pursue his passion in art and donated his artistic talent to the community.

Paul married Marilyn Lea Peterson, also from Devils Lake, on August 22, 1962. He and his wife, Marilyn, co-founded and ran a professional photography studio in Austin. Together they raised two daughters, traveled the world, and retired and spent over twenty years at their second home in Naples, Florida.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Kathleen Stenhjem and wife, Marilyn Stenhjem. He is survived by his daughters, Kathryn (Matt) Rumpza, Elizabeth (Greg) Pearson, and brothers Bruce (Connie) Stenhjem and Evan (Catherine) Stenhjem.

Memorial donations can be made in support of Parkinson’s disease research to the Mayo Clinic Foundation for Education and Research, Development Department, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.