Randel Omar Stenesen
Randel Omar Stenesen of Edmonds, WA died Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at the age of 70. Randy is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Renée Stenesen. He is the beloved father of Heather (Stenesen) Hoshii, Shane Stenesen, and Drew Stenesen, and is survived by his four adoring grandchildren Charlotte and Harrison Hoshii and Eleanor and Elizabeth Stenesen.
Born in 1944 to Omar and Elsie Stenesen, Randy grew up in Ballard near his grandparents who had emigrated from Norway. Randy was a 1962 graduate of Ballard High School and attended the University of Washington, after which he joined the U.S. Army and became a member of the Green Beret Special Forces under the Kennedy Administration.
He had a short career in Real Estate Closings and City of Seattle Redevelopment before he and a friend started Clearstory Design and Construction on a handshake. For approximately 30 years they designed and built many single family residences in the Seattle area and on Bainbridge Island. After retirement he designed and built a wonderful retreat on Lake Chelan where he loved to bask in the sun, swim, go boating, drink beer and play Cribbage with friends and family.
Randy was always involved in his children’s activities, especially athletics. After moving his family to Bainbridge, Randy was instrumental in revitalizing the Bainbridge High School Booster Club and could be found cooking hamburgers on the sidelines of the home football games. He coached many team sports including youth basketball, baseball and for two years he coached high school varsity Fastpitch Softball team. He built a batting cage on his property and invited many a young athlete to use it. Always one to reach out and help others with their home improvement projects he always created a fun environment to grow up in, and was also considered a welcome addition to any gathering no matter what age group.
Besides his profession as a builder and finish carpenter, Randy was known to be a creative innovator who would mount a cooler on anything and spend hours finding a solution to complex problems. During his lifetime Randy enjoyed salmon fishing in Puget Sound, hunting and fishing and camping in eastern Washington, and sports of all kinds. He especially enjoyed watching his kids play baseball and basketball. Randy was an avid Seahawks fan and always rooted for UW. He will be remembered for his big heart, loving ways and his kindness to all. 
At Randy’s request there will not be a funeral service. Instead he wished to have friends and family get together in the late summer at Lake Chelan to celebrate the good times.
An open house style gathering to honor Randy will be held on Saturday, March 28th, 2015, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at the home of Randy’s son, Shane Stenesen, 7202 228th Street S.W., Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to the Randy Stenesen Memorial Student Athlete Scholarship Fund.
9 Responses to “Randel Omar Stenesen”
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I am so very shocked and sorry to hear of Randy’s passing. Although we haven’t stayed in touch much since our childhood, I will always remember all the good times with you and Sandy at Grandma’s house in Ballard. Please accept our love and sympathy to you and your family at this sad time.
Your cousin, Judie
In our youth the Mason and Stenesen families were very close. Our families shared lots of memorable times together, times I will always remember and treasure. Our families shared many vacations together, Hood Canal, Lake Chelan, Lake Sammamish. Randy and I shared many times together water skiing, went to school together played many other sports together. We even agreed to disagree together.
Randy (Stagger Lee) I will always remember you with Love, Fun and sharing.
Love from your Friend, Rocky
Our family’s were friends from the Ballard era.
Looked forward to seeing you when you were in Manson. Randy always had a welcoming smile and greeting
He will be missed.Sending prayers to the family
Char Tait
Renee, Heather,Shane and Drew.
I am so sadden by the news of Randy’s passing. I have SO MANY found memories of the times we shared on Bainbridge around the ball fields and flipping burgers for the Booster Club at the football games. Coaching softball with Randy were some of the best times I had when I lived on the Island.
Please know that, even though so much time has passed, I will never forget the kindness that Randy and your family showed me during that short time.
Love and prayers to you and your families.
God Bless,
Cynthia
Our family was sadden to hear about Randy , he was a very special addition to our family. Lots of good memories over the years especially joining us in our family reunions every summer joining in the many activities horseshoes, volley ball and relay games . He always had his smile , He will be missed by our family, Dan,Mel,Bette and the many.many cousins. Bette
Topaz Cove won’t be the same without Randy. He was always willing to lend a hand and offer great advice on our home improvements. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you all.
We are truly at a loss of words for Randel’s passing. We just can’t believe that he’s gone. Loved seeing him over the summer just hanging out with everyone sitting in his Budweiser chair. Our blessings and thoughts are with his family and friends.
Topaz Cove will never be the same and we will miss Randy’s smile and positive attitude. A man of few words, we always listened. Randy personified life as it should be in Chelan with his easy-going manner and we will miss his company and friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I’m way late getting in on this as I’ve been living in Oregon the past several years and just found out about Randy’s passing.
I have the same memories as Rocky Mason tho’ I was a tad younger. Randy was like a big brother to me and my brother Mark. Growing up water-skiing (a ton!) with the Stenesen, Mason, both Anderson families, and several others as a kid was as good as it gets…..great, great memories of Gene, Omar, Elsie, Randy…….I miss them all.
Best to Renee and the family, and thanks for showing the way Rand.
Jim Leander