Avolene M Stengel

Avolene Martha Stengel, 80, of Mt Morris, IL passed away July 7th, 2025, at OSF Saint Katharine Hospital in Dixon, IL.

Avolene was born July 6th, 1945 in rural Oregon, IL to Edward and Barbara (Jones) Aurand. She married Larry Stengel on August 28th, 1982, and had one child, Heather, of Genoa, IL. Avolene was an active long time member of Leaf River Baptist Church.

She graduated from Dixon High School, thereafter she attended Chicago Bible College.

Avolene worked at the Garment Factory in Oregon, later finding employment with: Kable Printing, the Dry Goods Store, and finally at Watt Publishing for 23 years in Mt Morris. Though she found true fulfillment serving as the pianist at Leaf River Baptist Church for 20+ years, helping to spread the love of Christ.

Avolene was passionate and devoted to her church, lending her musical talents to the congregation. She found great delight and joy in playing piano and singing for others. She found that playing from the heart meant more to her than playing what was written on the page.

A highlight in her life was her opportunity to travel to England after college with her church’s music group. She was glad to be able to share her love of music and Christ internationally.

Early in her marriage she would enjoy joining her husband, Larry, for rides on their motorcycle throughout the countryside, and even later in life she would find comfort in going for drives through nearby towns with her husband where they would stop for meals and meet new people.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Stengel; daughter, Heather (Wayne) Timmermann of Genoa; grandchildren, Kylie, Daniel, and Mackenzie Timmermann of Genoa. She is survived also by her sister, Gwen (Mark) Nettz, her sister-in-law Cloteel (Spencer) Aurand, as well as numerous relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Barbara Aurand; brothers, Spencer and Kyle Aurand, and one sister-in-law, Carolyn Aurand.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 10th, 2025 from 12:00 - 2:00 pm at Leaf River Baptist Church, 6941 N. Mount Morris Rd, Leaf River, IL, 61047. The family encourages anyone who wishes to worship, to attend the preceding church service at 10:30AM. A number of Avolene’s favorite hymns and worship music will be played in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Leaf River Baptist Church to support the congregation’s Farm Ministry.