Memorial Service: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wolf Point, MT. Cremation has taken place.
John Butte Stensland, age 88, of Wolf Point, Montana passed away January 31, 2009 in Wolf Point.
John was born in Wolf Point, Montana on June 6, 1920 to John J. and Betsey (Anderson) Stensland. He grew up and graduated from Wolf Point High School and went on to attend Montana State College in Bozeman, Montana. John enlisted in the Army and became part of the 10th Mountain Division, serving two campaigns in Italy during World War II.
John met Dolores Lowe and they married on February 28, 1948 in Wolf Point. To this union they were blessed with two daughters, Jude and Darcy, and two sons, Jack and Dale. John and Dolores were married for 56 years before Dolores passed away July of 2004.
John spent his life on the home place ranch north of Wolf Point and the cow camp on the river bottom of the Missouri raising cattle, grain and hay.
John enjoyed playing the harmonica, calling for square dances and traveling.
John and Dolores loved to dance and especially never more, than when they attended Our Anniversary Dance held annually at the local Fireman's Ball.
John was involved in numerous organizations including a member of the Elks, past president of Montana Cattlemans Association, a Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede Committeeman and also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.He was a member of the First Lutheran Church.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Betsey Stensland, his sisters, Ellen Stensland, Edna Brubakken, Cora Flaten and Fern Neubauer, an infant brother, and his wife Dolores Stensland. John is survived by: daughters, Jude Stensland and Darcy Potter, both of Roseburg, Oregon; sons, Jack (Christy) of Wolf Point and Dale (Von) Stensland of Mesa, Arizona; grandchildren,Tara (Mike) Mastel of Whitehall, Montana, and children, Dorothy, Burke and Ellis; Kari (Mark) Wilson of Roseburg, Oregon and children , Alex, Zach and Elizabeth; Andy (Shyla) Kurokawa of Billings; Jim Potter of Billings; Mike Potter of Roseburg; Vandie (Marty) Buckingham of Miles City, Montana, and children, Morgan and Ellen; Becky Stensland and daughter, Madison, of Wolf Point; J.D. (Kami) Stensland of Wolf Point; Aria Stensland (Al Schwartz) of Denver, Colorado; two sisters, Jurene Jone's of Jerome, Idaho and Lily Bryan Hickel of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Wolf Point 100 Club or Wild Horse Stampede Chutes Project.
Dale Stensland says
Sorry I couldn’t make it home Dad, you know about. You always said to do something you got to be good. I am standing in the right place, singing the right song,Fighting the right fight! Chosen of God. I am glad we were able to speak of Jesus that day, I saw changes in you following that. I am glad for I know that I will see you over there! Dale.