Carl John Sjostrom was born to Florence and Carl Kristian (CK) Sjostrom in their home at Sioux Pass, Richland County, Montana on August 26, 1924 on a nice 100 degree day. He was the youngest of the five children, joining Fred, Helen, George, and Florence. Carl grew up farming and working on equipment that would be his niche for the rest of his life. He served in the US Army from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1947, having achieved Technical 4th Grade as a medical corpsman. Carl returned home and attended one year of college at MSU studying Civil Engineering. He then returned to Richland County and was employed by the Richland County Soil Conservation doing field leveling and dirt work. He then bought his own D7 Cat and scraper and did this line of work until retiring. He loved machinery that would make a rough terrain or plot of land into a productive piece of farmland. He really enjoyed giving his young nephews rides on the D7 as he worked. Finally, in his own time, he was smitten by Charlotte Meidinger of Terry, MT and the field work winded down. He and Charlotte were married in Sept. 1984 and they settled into retired life in Terry. They traveled some and had real good friends in their pastor Lowell Johnson and his wife Reta. When the Johnsons moved to Iowa- that became a favorite stayover on their winter trips to Texas. Travel stopped when Charlotte passed in 2007. Carl lived alone until August of 2013 when he moved into the Prairie County Hospital. Carl passed away on Thursday, June 13th at 4 pm at age 94. Carl was a member of the Terry Community Presbyterian Church. His nephew Pastor Bob Unterseher along with his wife Sharon will officiate.
His parents and siblings predeceased him in death. He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Kathryn Verhasselt of Sidney, Alice Chernick of Casper WY, Emilie Williams of Billings, Lloyd Sjostom of Spokane WA, Richard Unterseher of Casper WY, Rev. Bob Unterseher of Billings, Ray Unterseher of Watford City ND, and Vickie Riojas of Bozeman. A special cousin is Nolan Spencer of Duluth MN. There are many remaining grand nephews and nieces!!
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Military graveside services will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery with full Military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
A special thanks to PCH for the good food and care over these years.
David & Hess says
We have many fond memories and such good visits with both Carl and Charlotte. They were very good friends with Dave’s mom Aileen Hess and attended many senior activities together.
They were included in many of our family gathering throughout the years.
With our thoughts and prayers for your loss.
Jean Trask Brown says
Carl was such a nice man. I am sure he is dancing to the fiddlers music with Charlotte again. Rest in peace friend.
MARGO HELLICKSON says
What a nice gentleman. I enjoyed our visits and dancing with both he and Charlotte at the fiddlers dances. Yes he is probably dancing again. My sympathy to the family on your loss.
Michele Sanders says
Carl was like a family member. He and Charlotte spent a lot of time going to Senior events and dances with my Grandma Aileen Hess. I went back to visit family one time and asked to stay at Grandma’s house. She wasn’t there at the time but said Carl and Charlotte were staying there and we could too. My three kids were calling them Grandpa Carl and Grandma Charlotte. They created some fun memories for us that trip. My prayers and sympathies to all of his family members. He was an awesome gentleman.
Larry F Shepherd says
Carl was a very special person to my family. He married my sister Charlotte and took extra special care of her up to her death. They attended every dance in the area and didn’t just sit and watch, but danced until the last song was played. When Carl was around his dry sense of humor kept us in stitches. He was always willing to help anyone with any task even though some of his fixes were ruldgoldberg (sp). When we made our annual trip to MT and stopped to see him, he might not recognize us he always out up when I mentioned my granddaughters name (Mikesha). They had established a special relationship when she was a young. I do remember him putting a sheet of plywood across a pick up bed, then putting a ladder on top of that and then climbing it to trim a tree, which ended in a serious fall. We thought we were going to loose him then. I could tell more stories that didn’t result in serious injury. We loved you Carl!! RIP
Larry, Judy, Lori, Doug, Mark, Justin, Ryan, Mikesha, Jenny, Landon, Hannah and Janessa.
Ray And Diann Unterseher says
I remember the first time I ever saw my Uncle Carl Sjostrom. It was the Summer of 1947. He had just come home from serving in the U. S. Army. Everyone was excited to see him again. I remember his car he had purchased when he got out of the Army. It was a 1941 Chevy coupe. Blue. Then in 1954 he and his two brothers Fred and George all bought brand new GMC pickups. They wanted $300.00 to ship them so the boys road the Grayhound bus to Detroit and they drive the new pickups home back to Fairview, Montana. Uncle Carl was a lot like his Dad my Grandpa. They could fix anything but in their own way and sometimes it showed! Uncle Carl was 60 before he got married. We had almost given up on it. But he finicky found the lady if his dreams and she was the best thing that ever happened to him! Uncle Carl was the most favorite uncle of all. The kids all lived him! I love you Uncle Carl!
Ray / Diann Unterseher