Clara Margaret Stenkamp

     Clara Margaret (Mardy) Stenkamp, of Boise, ID, passed away peacefully at Edgewood Spring Creek Care Center on December 28, 2021, shortly after her 88th birthday. Mardy was born in Claflin, KS on December 16, 1933, to Otto and Emma Weigel. The Weigel family moved to LaGrande, OR, where Otto taught high school. Mardy attended high school in LaGrande, and then completed a BS degree in Education at Eastern Oregon College, on a full scholarship and with many achievements including being named Queen of Evensong and playing major roles in college musicals and vaudeville shows.
     Mardy then taught 2nd and 3rd grade in Bend, OR, where she met (on a blind date!) and married Benedict (Ben) Stenkamp, her lifelong partner and loving husband of 60 years. Career moves took the couple to Heppner, OR, where daughter Cynthia (Cindy) was born, and then Pendleton, OR, where son James (Jim) was born. The family moved to Boise, ID, where they welcomed a second daughter, Deborah (Deb). The family then lived in Moscow, ID, where they completed their family with a second son, Joseph (Joe). The family resided in Pocatello, and then Boise, where Mardy raised their four children and engaged in numerous volunteer activities in music, education, and charitable work.
     Mardy was passionate about the power of music and was an accomplished vocalist, performing with Boise Master Chorale for over 30 years. She led the congregations at St. Anthony’s (Pocatello) and St. Mark’s (Boise) in singing for the Sunday evening mass for over 20 years. She will be fondly remembered for her spontaneous and entertaining renditions of German and American folksongs, and for her personal masterpiece, “Who does Oma love?” which she sang frequently to her grandchildren. She enjoyed a lifetime of being the life of the party. Mardy was also a dedicated volunteer for the Assistance League, taught English as a second language to local high school students, and “History in a Suitcase” for elementary classes.
     Mardy enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and occasional fishing trips with the family. She was obsessed with all things Christmas and amassed an impressive collection of ornaments, decorations, and recipes for holiday treats. She traveled with family to many National Parks, and in later years she and Ben took a highly anticipated trip to Georgia where they attended Jimmy Carter’s Sunday School with close friend Shirley Crowe. Mardy was sweet and generous, an outstanding storyteller and listener, and her all-time favorite activity was what she called “visiting.”
     Upon Ben’s passing in late 2018, Mardy moved to Edgewood Spring Creek Memory Care, where she was affectionately known as “Aunt Mardy.” The family is grateful for their loving and professional staff, and to All Care Hospice for filling the final years of Mardy’s life with friendship, laughter, and joy.
     Mardy is survived by daughter Deb Stenkamp (Charles Swift) of Moscow, ID, son Joe Stenkamp (Tami) of Boise, and grandchildren Beau Stenkamp-Strahm of Boise, Chloe Stenkamp-Strahm (Ben Soderquist) of Ogden, UT, Madilyn and Abby Stenkamp of Boise, and Iris Swift of Moscow, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mardy was preceded in death by her parents Emma and Otto Weigel, siblings Alma Binder, Don Weigel, and Dick Weigel, son Jim Stenkamp, daughter Cindy Stenkamp, and husband Ben.
     A memorial service and mass will be held at Holy Apostles Church in Meridian, ID, on March 11, 2022, followed by a graveside service and reception (location TBD). The family suggests donations to Assistance League, Salvation Army, or All Care Hospice in Mardy’s name.