February 28, 2017

Gladys Stenberg

Gladys Stenberg, 97, of Watford City, N.D., passed away Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Watford City.
Gladys Josephine (Olson) Stenberg was born Sept. 24, 1919, in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan to Thomas and Helga (Nelson) Olson.
In 1922, Gladys’ family moved to a farm near McGregor, N.D. She attended country schools and graduated from McGregor High School in 1938. Following high school, she worked as a babysitter in Williston before finding an ad in the newspaper for help wanted at a café in Watford City. Gladys met Chris Stenberg in Watford City while working at the café and wrote letters to him while he served during World War II. The County Superintendent encouraged her to take a test that would make her eligible to attend a two-week course at Minot Teachers College. She received a two-year certificate and taught for two years at a rural school south of Noonan. In 1944-45, she worked in the Seed & Feed Loan Department at the Divide County courthouse. Gladys then taught at a school west of Noonan for six months before her mother died unexpectedly.
Chris and Gladys married on October 2, 1946. They farmed for one year with her dad before moving to the Stenberg farm 10 miles northwest of Watford City. They had three children: Sharon, Carlyle and Glenda. Gladys devoted her life to being a mother and farmwife. Each year, she raised chickens and tended her garden while helping Chris by milking cows or doing any chore that needed to be done for that day. They were faithful members of Farland Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and volunteered in many other areas. She was active in Ladies’ Aid and a leader of the Rough Creek Rangers 4-H Club. One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother to her nine grandchildren. She will be remembered as being a caring, thoughtful friend and neighbor and always putting others before herself. Her mercy and compassion extended to each person and animal she came into contact with and one of her greatest passions was for others to know and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Gladys is survived by her children, Sharon (Don) Zubke of Dickinson, N.D.; Carlyle (Gayle) Stenberg of Watford City, N.D.; and Glenda (Ed) Brockell of Minot, N.D.; her nine grandchildren, Nikki Kerns of Los Angeles, Calif.; Sara (Jeff) Berry of Wenatchee, Wash.; Chad (Robyn) Zubke of Rochester, Minn.; Kimberly (Richard) McMurray of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada; Elisa (Nate) Thibodeau, Daniel Stenberg, and Titus (April) Stenberg all of Watford City, N.D.; Rachelle Brockell of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Heather Brockell of Minot, N.D. and seven great-grandchildren.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Chris on April 10, 2006; her brothers, Myron (Olive) Olson of Palatine, Ill.; and Thelmer Olson of Wildrose, N.D.
Visitation was held at Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home in Watford City on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to services.
Her funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, at the Assembly of God Church in Watford City. Pastor Sheldon McGorman officiated. Pastor Jeff Heber  co-officiated. A family service was held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at the Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home Chapel in Watford City.
Her funeral arrangements are with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home. Friends may sign the on-line register and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER