Lawrence Royal Stensaas, age 93, passed peacefully with family by his side in McKinney, Texas, on Sunday March 15, 2026. Lawrence was born June 19, 1932, in Norway, Kansas. He left for college and two years later started his military career at age 20, serving for both the Navy and the Marine Corps. After his service Lawrence began his career as a pilot, living all around the world before he settled down and met his late wife Ellie in Dallas. Lawrence and Ellie married in April of 1963, and then settled in Concordia after a brief time spent in Clay Center. Lawrence managed Valley Fertilizer up until his retirement and became lifelong friends with many of his customers. Lawrence and Ellie enjoyed following their girls' athletic pursuits, spending many a weekend taking them to horse shows, gathering with family and friends, raising, training and racing thoroughbred horses, as well as spending time with their grandkids. Upon his retirement, he and Ellie followed daughters Denae and Jodi to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. After Ellie's passing in 2014, Lawrence moved to McKinney, Texas, to live near his daughter Jodi and his grandkids. Lawrence is proceeded in death by his parents, Esther and Clarence Stensaas, his two sisters Margaret Reece (Jack) and Dorothy Loring (Lee) and his brother Glenn "Shorty" Stensaas. He is survived by his 3 daughters, Cheri Hobson of Topeka, Denae Stensaas of McKinney, and Jodi Sullivan (Rob) of McKinney, his two grandchildren Sydney and Cooper Sullivan, his sister-in-law Joyce Stensaas (Shorty) of Norway, Kansas, and his many nieces and nephews. Lawrence Stensaas will be remembered for his honor, his humor, his love of penny poker, bridge, and sports. Most importantly, he will be remembered by his love and adoration for his family and being a true friend and role model.
