Alena was born on Feb 23, 1929 in Northome, Minnesota to William and Anna Olson and moved to Wisconsin around the age of 5. She had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Alena graduated from Barron High School in 1948 and married Lawrence Stauner of Almena on September 28, 1953.

Alena and Lawrence raised their 10 children on a farm one mile east of Turtle Lake. There they taught them how to milk cows by hand. They had a huge cucumber patch where the kids would go pick and bring them to the pickle factory in town for cash.

Alena liked to have big parties inviting many friends and relatives to join in the fun. One year, she entered a contest in the Barron County Fair and won first place for a casserole dish. She used to make homemade bread that all the kids wished they had learned the recipe before she started forgetting the ingredients. She would make 10 loaves at a time, but half of the bread would be gone before the other half finished baking.

Traveling was what she enjoyed in her older years. Always wanting to go and visit her brother’s, sister’s, and children’s homes. Valerie has been a steadfast and loving granddaughter, who was lucky enough to spend time with Alena while working in the same nursing home Alena has lived in for the last 10 years. She always had a sense of humor and loved to tease people. Her signature move would be to raise her fists in a mock fight. She liked to go to church and tell people that God was coming. Now that she is with God, she can raise her fists at Him.

Alena is survived and remembered by her children, Douglas (Celi), Carol (Dean) Carter, Bernie (Sue), Brenda (Brian) Lippold, Philip (Ruby), Susan (Dave); daughter in law, Luella Stauner; 20 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild; and her last sister, Elaine Olson.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence (June of 1994); daughter, Delores (Blaine) Rue, and sons, David, Carl (Gail), and Allen; four brothers and two sisters.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM - 11 AM on Monday, December 1, 2025 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Turtle Lake. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM.

Burial will be at the St. Ann Catholic Cemetery in Turtle Lake, WI immediately following Mass. A luncheon will follow at St. Ann’s Parish Center.

Last Update: Nov 26, 2025 8:01 am CST