Stennes, Leslie H. 86, died October 15, 2006 at Redeemer Residence, Minneapolis. He was born January 6, 1920 near Hendrum, Minnesota to Joseph and Clara (Brodahl) Stennes. He graduated from Hendrum High School in 1938 and received a B.A. in French from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1949. In 1950 he graduated from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and was ordained into Christian ministry. On June 6, 1952, he married Rachel Heistad in Garoua, Cameroon. Leslie and Rachel lived in Cameroon until 1965, and Leslie continued to serve as a missionary linguist until his retirement. Leslie was awarded the Master of Arts in 1961 and the Ph.D. in 1969, both in linguistics, from The Hartford Seminary Foundation in Connecticut. Leslie’s life’s work was the translation of scripture into African languages. He was a translator of the Fulfulde Bible, published in 1983. He was an active member of Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis where he served as an elder and teacher. Leslie enjoyed travel, computers, biking, baseball, and genealogy. He was a loyal friend to people of all walks of life and from many nations. He was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Rachel; daughter, Mary and Randy Carlson of Wahpeton, ND and their children, Erin (Fargo, ND), Jared (Annapolis, MD), Heidi, Liesl; daughter, Naomi and John Stennes-Spidahl and their children, Nadia and Hans, of Cashton, WI; daughter, Suzanne and Daniel Stennes-Rogness of Lino Lakes, MN; a brother, Jerome Stennes of Munds Park, AZ; a sister, Josephine and Richard Beitzel of Bemidji, MN; a sister-in-law, Octavia and Rolf Hembach of Kalkar, Germany; a brother-in-law, Philip and Emilee Heistad of White Lake, WI; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers; a sister, Ruth Renner; six brothers-in-law; and six sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 20th at 11:00 AM at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, 41st & Cedar, Minneapolis, with Rev. Dale Hanson officiating. Burial will follow lunch in the Lakewood Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 PM on Thursday, October 19th at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 3640 23rd Ave S., Minneapolis and at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Brethren World Missions. Thank you to the care providers at Redeemer Residence, Minneapolis, for your loving and professional care.