Adele R. Stearns was born Hulda Adele Regner on June 5, 1901 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota the daughter of John and Selma (Carlson) Regner. She was Baptized and Confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. After graduating from high school she went on to attend Gustavus Adolfus where she graduated in 1920 with her teaching degree. She spent many years as a teacher, the last of which were at Amery High School. After retiring from teaching she still served as a substitute teacher for several years. Adele was united in marriage to Stuart Wells Stearns in 1929 in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. They were blessed with the birth of a daughter Marilyn Ann. She was a very avid reader and at the young age of 80 joined the Great Books Group and belonged until she was 88.
During her years in Amery she was active in Amery Woman's Club, Amery Library Board, and First Lutheran Church Women where she served as their president. Adele loved to play bridge and enjoyed theatre and opera. When she was able she was a world traveler. She has spent the last several years of her life at Willow Ridge Health Care Center where she died peacefully on November 11, 2009 at the age of 108 years.
Her parents, and husband Stuart preceded her in death. Left to celebrate her life are her daughter Marilyn Millard, four grandchildren as well as other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held at First Lutheran Church on Friday November 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Bjorge officiating. Norm Osero served as organist. Her cremains will be buried with her husband Stuart at the Rosehill Cemetery in Winnebago, Minnesota. The Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Amery assisted the family.