Stennes, Rachel M. age 86, died Friday, February 10, 2007 at Redeemer Residence, Minneapolis. She was born May 8, 1920 in White Lake, WI to Ole and Bertha (Jensen) Heistad. She graduated from West Allis High School in 1938 and from Langlade County Normal School in 1940. She then taught elementary school in Eagle River, WI and at Cozy Corner School in White Lake, WI. From 1945-1946, she worked with Billy Graham at Youth for Christ International in Chicago. Rachel graduated from the Lutheran Brethren Bible School, Fergus Falls, MN, in 1948 and then received a B.A. in French from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN in 1949. In 1950 she was awarded the Diplome Superieur from Alliance Francaise in Paris. On June 6, 1952, she married Leslie H. Stennes in Garoua, Cameroon. Serving as a missionary with the Lutheran Brethren World Missions, Rachel lived in Cameroon from 1950-1965. She taught French and was involved with ministry to youth and women and worked as a partner in translation. She was an active member of Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church in Minneapolis where she coordinated the Prayer Chain, participated in the Prayer Breakfast, taught Sunday school, and served with the Women’s Missionary Fellowship. She lifted up Jesus Christ through personal witness, hospitality, prayer and encouragement. Rachel dearly loved all her family. She was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She is survived by daughter, Mary and Randy Carlson of Wahpeton, ND and their children, Erin (Fargo, ND), Jared (Annapolis, MD), Heidi, and 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, Philip and Emilee Heistad of White Lake, WI; a sister, Octavia and Rolf Hembach of Kalkar, Germany; a brother-in-law, Jerome Stennes of Munds Park, AZ; a sister-in-law, Josephine and Richard Beitzel of Bemidji, MN; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, Leslie; parents; a sister, Lena Olsen; brothers, Wallace, Arthur, Kermit, and Gordon; six sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 16, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, 41st & Cedar, Minneapolis, with Rev. Dale Hanson officiating. Burial at Lakewood Cemetery will follow lunch at the church. Friends may call from 5-8 PM on Thursday, February 15th at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 3640 23rd Ave S., 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 (Africa). Thank you to the care providers at Redeemer Residence, Minneapolis, for your loving and professional care.