Florence: Darwin David Sternhagen 11/12/21-3/26/05 Darwin David Sternhagen was born November 12th, 1921, to Carl Sternhagen and Mary Sternhagen nee Taff in the house that was his residence until his death. Darwin was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Florence, Wisconsin. He went to Fern Elementary School and Florence High School. After a brief bout with tuberculosis, Darwin graduated from Florence High School. He continued to work on the family dairy farm and eventually bought the farm from his father. He fell in love with Florence Hedmark of Fence and they were married May 20, 1946 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. They began filling Fern with little Sternhagens: Duane the thinker, David the handsome, Dan the smart, Bonnie the girl, Jeff the charming. Darwin, in order to keep farming, held many jobs over the years. He was a logger, a town clerk, a snow plower, and a school bus driver. After going out of dairy farming, he began raising pumpkins for his Pumpkin Farm. He took a job as a janitor for Florence Co. Schools. After retirement he enjoyed touring the country in his RV. During his life, he enjoyed many things: farming, cows, flowers, pumpkins, putting up wood, Purple Martins, and Macintosh apples. But his greatest love was his Lord Jesus. He showed that love by the way he treated people, his work in the church, teaching Sunday School, being the church's financial secretary, serving on church council, his daily devotions and faithful church attendance. Toward the end of his life, Darwin struggled with injuries and illnesses. His logging accident crippled his body. Cancer challenged him for years. Finally after a series of setbacks, the Lord called him home on Easter weekend, 2005 at the age of 83 years, 3 months and 14 days. Darwin lived his life trusting in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. His Savior gave him the strength and confidence he needed for life. He died in the arms of his Savior, washed in His blood. The Lord has had mercy on his soul. Darwin Sternhagen was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Florence, his brothers, William Sternhagen and John Sternhagen. He is survived by his sister, Caroline Nieman and her husband Rudy, his children, Duane, David and his wife Carol, Dan and his wife JoAnne, Bonnie and her husband James, Jeff and his wife Rosie, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends and relatives. Visitation will be Thursday, April 7, from 4 - 7p.m. at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home in Florence and Friday April 8, from 10 - 11a.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Florence. Funeral services will be Friday, at 11:00a.m. at the Church in Florence. Rev. Andrew Schwartz will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Darwin's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home of Florence is serving the family.