A live stream the day of the service will be available by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/stevensonandsons/
Samuel J. Ohnstad, of Miles City, Montana, passed away Wednesday December 2nd, 2020 at Holy Rosary Healthcare of natural causes. He was born July 17th, 1933 in LaMoure, North Dakota to Severt and Verlie Ohnstad. After graduating high school in LaMoure, he continued his education at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND.
Sam was recruited to Miles City by L.P. Anderson and through their years of working together they built a lifelong friendship and helped forge some of the foundation that makes Miles City what it is today. He was active in the community and offered his service to many organizations.
He was brought to Miles City by business and was introduced to the love of his life by a business associate. He married Betty Joan Sturdevant on April 17, 1955. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage before she passed in 2017. Together they had 3 children and Sam began weaving a successful family life into his love for business. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and for a while he tried to include golf in his pastimes. He later decided that he couldn’t do it all. Since the latter meant time away from family, he set his clubs aside and with the help of relatives and friends built a cabin at Hell Creek. All were welcome and it became a retreat where many card games were played and more than a few fish stories were born.
He served over 20 years on the Stockman Bank board of directors and valued the friendships and relationships gained there. Between being a customer and his work for the board, his family was convinced that the bank became a home away from home. He loved taking his kids and grandkids there.
One of his proudest honors was being inducted in the North Dakota State College of Science Athletic Hall of Fame. He and son Doug faithfully supported the Wildcats and never missed homecoming festivities.
Sam is survived by his sister Mary(Floyd) Anderson and their three children all of North Dakota. He is also survived by his son and constant companion, Doug of Miles City, daughter Kathy and her husband Tim of Fort Benton and son in-law Wayne Hauge of Ray, ND as well as 6 grandchildren, Raymon(Kris) Hauge, Brandon(Kylene) Hauge, Jordon(Alisha) Hauge, Tawni(Scott) Steinbacher, Shanice(Matthew) York and Reece Waldo. He was a proud Great Grandfather “GGSam” to Frederic, Rasmus, Bridget, Everett, Clark, Kate, Tess and Jack.
He is preceded in death by his wife Joan, daughter Debbie Hauge, his parents and siblings Jack and Norma Beckwith.
Sam always had time for a cup of coffee and was a friend to all. He had an insatiable appetite for a good joke and was an avid supporter of the Green Bay Packers. There was and still is so much to learn from Sam’s life: generosity, patience, loyalty and, above all else, support for loved ones. His humor and gentle spirit will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made the Custer County Food Bank or the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral Service
Graveside Service
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday December 11, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday December 12, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday December 11, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday December 12, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Sherri Keeling says
So very sorry to hear this. He was one of the best. Condolences to Kathy and Doug and all of Sam’s family. He will be missed by a great many people.
Karen Morris says
The years pass all too quickly. I remember the L.P. Anderson Pumping Plant picnics as if they were yesterday. I remember the laughter and hugs shared in the good times and the caring and hugs in the sad times. I remember the honks and waves when you drove past as I was weeding . . . and the laughter that there was no time to stop to help with the chores. I remember the laughter for the Jobie cards. So many memories. Sam will be more than missed. My condolences to his family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Ron Hathaway says
Sam was such a good guy! He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Sambo!
Denise Harvey says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in precious memories of a very good man and the legacy he has left.
Denise and Jay Harvey
Curtis Terrett says
Sam was such a good guy , all the stories from uncle L.P. it was always me and Sam want to do this or that, So sorry for the loss.
Dolores Meidinger Willlson says
Tim, Kathy, Doug and all the rest of Sam’s family-
I am so very sorry to hear of your Dad & Granddad’s passing. I always enjoyed my visits with Sam whenever I saw him. He was a very good hearted man. May your memories keep you.
Linda. A. Hodgson says
Doug and Kathy and family, so sorry to hear of Sams passing. What a great man he was. Loved our visits, always had a hug and kiss! He will be missed by lots of Miles City. 💕🌷
MARTHA CRANDALL says
MY SYMPATHY
Dannette Cremer says
To all of Sam’s family, our sincere sympathy for your loss. He was a great person and business man and will be missed by so many. Keep his memory close to your heart. Dannette and Craig Cremer
Nicole Tetschner says
I’m so glad I got the chance to meet Sam, even tho it wasnt often I cared for him it was enough for me to realize how good of a guy he was and he will always have a place in my heart!!! I send prayers to all his family!!! Rest easy and fly high!!!
Kolleen (Waldo) Forsyth says
Sending hugs & support for each of you as you go thru this journey. So hard to even find the words to tell of Sam’s life… i know. I hope it brings comfort to know that he was treasured and had such a kind heart. He will be missed. Glad for the happy memories of each Waldo/Ohnstad gathering. 💕
Bob & Cindy Flotkoetter says
Kathy and Doug, I and so sorry for you loss. I have very fond memories of this wonderful man. Prayers
Linda L Simonsen says
So sorry for your loss. My dad, Paul Amestoy, and I enjoyed visiting and playing pinochle with Sam at HREC.
He was a sweet, kind man.
Karson and Marie Kluver says
Sam was a wonderful person. He tried to help you with whatever you needed. He took time to visit with our family too. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Maureen Klapmeier says
My thoughts and prayers are with you. What a wonderfully delightful and kind gentleman. Bill and I so enjoyed visiting with him at Holy Rosary Extended Care.
Joycs Felstehausen says
Memories flood my mind as I think of Sam. One of my favorites is of Sam and my grandson Ian when Ian was 2½. It was the evening of my mother’s funeral and the family was having dinner at Sam and Joan’s. We had tried to fix Ian a plate of food but he had other ideas. He made the circle of family with plates full of food and pulled a little chair up in front of Sam and they ate dinner together off of Sam’s plate. When Ian said, “Uncle Sam, I think we need more food,” Sam took him to get another of plateful which they then demolished. This is who Sam was. Doug, Kathy, grandchildren, and great grandchildren our hearts go out to you. This is a loss that will fill you both with great sadness as well as great joyful memories.
Bill Sturdevant says
So sorry to hear of Uncle Sam’s passing. I remember coming back to Miles City for Dad’s funeral and sitting in the living room at their house and watching MacKenna and Sam play together as she brought Barbie dolls over to him. He always had a kind word and a smile. Kathy, Doug and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Wanda Linnell Richlen says
Prayers to you Kathy and family
Audrey Haumschild says
Biggest Hugs Doug and prayers are with you all. Sam was a sweet man . Was so cute he would shave and come out in the hall and say he needed a kiss on the cheek because he shaved and you where the first one to see him . Only thing was we were all the first one. RIP Sam .
Bill Oftedal says
When I was a clueless 24 year old trying to put together a construction company with my father, there were so many people who gave me priceless advice. Sam, along with L.P. Anderson, Bus Morris and Gerhardt Sorlien were in that group, and I’m still indebted to them. Sam was valuable to this community, and to my family. We’ll miss him, but feel so fortunate to have had him in our lives.
Marc and Denise Hartse says
Our condolences to the Ohnstad family. He will be missed.
John W Clark says
Sorry to hear this news.
Family Pots- smeets says
My wife and I were on the funeral from Sam his brother Jack in Henri-Chapelle US Cemetery – Belgium. ( 2002 )
Later we drove with Jason to the gravemarker of Jack.
Our respect goes to The family in The US .
Respectfully Yours
Edgard & Josette Pots-Smeets
Curtis Fillafer says
Doug and family. I so sorry for the loss of Sam. I can’t begin to tell you of the many decades of chariest pleasant memories that I was involved with Sam and the life he led in the community. God bless you in heaven Sam and I’m so sorry to see you leave us.
Kathy/Larry Winkle, McKinney TX says
Sam and Joan were at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium in 2002 for the burial of his brother, PFC Jack Beckwith. Two other WWII soldiers were buried that day next to Jack, PFC Saul Kokotovich and SGT Frederick Zimmerman. The families of these three soldiers bonded instantly with a unity like no other. The common bond we shared was stronger and drew us closer than with our own relatives. This Memorial Day, we remember and honor our loved ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice and we also fondly remember our dear Next-of-Kin family, Sam and Joan Ohnstad. Deepest Sympathy from the family of Saul Kokotovich.