Otto F. Stender

Otto F. Stender, 90, of Maysville, IA passed away at home Sunday, May 8, 2011. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 12, 2011 10:00 a.m. in The Runge Mortuary Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Davenport, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the family for purchase of permanent memorial to stand at Stender Airstrip. Online condolences may be made at www.TheRungeMortuary.com

Otto was born January 26, 1921 in Davenport, Iowa the son of William and Frieda (Schwarz) Stender. He was united in marriage to Delores “Tootie” Mordhorst June 28, 1947 in Davenport, Iowa. Otto had farmed most of his life in Tipton and Maysville. He was also a very accomplished Flight Instructor having logged over 9,000 hours and taught 200 students.

Otto began flying 64 years ago as a flight cadet in the Unites States Army Air Corp during World War II. While in the Corp, he attended Oklahoma A & M and went on to U.S. Air Corp Flight Training, Pre-Flight training, B-29 Engine Specialist course, and Air Corps Mechanic School. Otto was honorably discharged in 1946.

The first plane he owned was a Piper Cub, flown from an airstrip he made on the 1, 000 acres he and his wife farmed near Tipton. In 1961 he purchased a farm near Maysville, in Scott County, Iowa, and made his own airstrip there. In 1968 Stender Airstrip became a Registered Airstrip. From 1965 to 2006, he trained flight students from this airstrip while still farming full-time.

After obtaining his commercial pilot’s license in 1963, he earned his flight instruction rating in 1965, his multi-engine rating in 1970 and his Instrument Rating in 1973. He also obtained his used aircraft dealer’s license and put in time piloting for aerial photography and parachute jumpers.

The Quad City Aviators Association awarded him the “Wings” award in 2004 for his dedication to the flying community. He also received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Agency at a Cedar Rapids ceremony March 7, 2006, in recognition for having contributed to and maintained safe flight operations for over 60 years.

His memberships include: Scott County Condemnation Board; 50 year Knights of Pythias member, 27 year member of North Scott Rotary, member of Quad Cities Aviators Association, AOPA, American Legion, Dixon, IA, Iowa Farm Bureau and German- American Heritage Society.

He enjoyed refurbishing airplanes and old farm tractors, playing pool and traveling. He loved working and playing with his children, grandchildren, & great grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife of 63 years, Delores “Tootie”, Maysville, son, Wesley (Kay) Stender, grandchildren, Troy (Tina) Stender, Jill (Bernie) Moore, Shawn Stender, Dawn (Konrad) Kraklio, Sarah Low, John (Diane) Low; 9 great grandchildren, and 2 step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughters, Sharon in 2009 and Cindy in 2006, brothers, Ernest and William and sister, Dorothy Wulf.