Harold 'Steve' L. Stavenau, 89, of Owatonna, died Thursday, April 23, 2009 at Clare Bridge Cottage. Harold was born February 8, 1920 in Rapidan, Minnesota the son of Louis and Caroline (Bartsch) Stavenau. Following high school, Harold worked as an electrician in Mankato and then for Truth Tool. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Wortman on January 21, 1940 in a country church near Waldorf, MN. They continued to make their home in Mankato. Harold entered the United States Army in August of 1944 and he served two years in the Philippines during WWII. After his honorable discharge in January of 1946, he went back to Truth Tool and continued to work there where he would become chief engineer. In 1959, Truth Tool became Truth Hardware and moved to Owatonna. Harold and his family moved to Owatonna that same year and he continued to work for Truth Hardware. It was here that he invented the Lever Lock for window systems. He was also credited for 13 other patents involving window hardware. He was inducted into the Minnesota Inventor's Hall of Fame for his patents and inventions. He was a member at Redeemer Lutheran Church and was very active. He loved to fish and being a pilot, he would fly to many destinations throughout the country and Canada to fish. He also enjoyed hunting. Growing up, Harold was always inquisitive and wanted to learn about everything. How things were made and how it worked. At the Christmas season, Harold enjoyed decorating and was known in Owatonna as having the perfect Christmas tree decorated in his yard. During one of these Christmas seasons on December 6, 2000, his wife of 60 years, Dorothy, passed away. In 2007, Harold moved into Clare Bridge Cottage in Owatonna. He is survived by four daughters, Helen Cherry of Owatonna; Carol (and Patrick) Michels of Spokane, WA; Jeralene Staska of Owatonna; Linda (and Patrick) Phinney of Owatonna; 15 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, a son, Donald 'Shorty', a granddaughter, Kristine, a great grandson, Kadin, his parents, Louis and Caroline and two brothers, Edgar and Alonzo. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and one hour prior to the service in the church. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 27, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church with The Reverend Martin Krause officiating. Interment will be in the Woodland Hills Cemetery in Mankato. Honors will be provided by the Steele County Military Funeral Unit. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer''s Foundation, Redeemer Lutheran Church or the donor''s choice. Visitation: 04/26/2009 14:00 04/26/2009 17:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service in the church 04/27/2009 11:00