Ron Stensland

September 12, 1951 - January 24, 2025

Visitation: Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, January 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.

Service: A private family burial will take place at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery.

Ron Stensland, age 73, died Friday, January 24, 2025 at Dougherty Hospice House.  Visitation, with family present, will be Thursday, January 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton, SD.  A private family burial will take place at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Canton VFW.

Ron was a 1969 graduate of Canton High School and is the son of the late Melvin and Rose Marie “Rosie” (Cox) Stensland of Canton.  After high school, Ron joined the US Marine Corps in 1969 and served in Vietnam ending as a Lance Corporal with 5 medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Rifle Marksman Badge, and Good Conduct Medal.

After his discharge in 1971, Ron moved to Denver, CO and worked as a baker for King Soopers (IBC)/Kroger Bakery where he worked as a mixer for several years.  He also worked at the Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  In his spare time, Ron enjoyed watching game shows, going on drives, eating Mexican food, and listening to old country music.

Ron is survived by his 3 siblings, Becky Poss of Sioux Falls and Sharon Skaien and Richard (Pam) Stensland of Canton; 4 children, Heather Legel of Sioux Falls, Waylon (Heather) Stensland of Wabash, IN, Shawna (Tyler) Abbott of Nevada, TX, and Ryan Stensland of Largo, IN.  Ron was very proud of his 6 grandchildren, Charlie and Cate Legel of Sioux Falls and Chloe Legel of Lincoln, NE, Dylan Stensland of Wabash, IN, and Grayson and Easton Abbott of Nevada, TX.  Ron was preceded in death by his parents, twin granddaughters, Holland and Hayden, and brother-in-law, David Skaien.

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10 messages have been left

  1. David W. and Kathy A. Holter on January 25, 2025 said:

    Our sympathy goes out to each of you in the loss of Ron. May God comfort and give peace through your days ahead.

  2. William T Peterson on January 26, 2025 said:

    Sorry to hear of Ron’s passing.

  3. Leon Anderson on January 26, 2025 said:

    It is always hard loosing a classmate, prayers to the family and thankyou Ron for your service to our country, RIP.

  4. wilma romereim on January 26, 2025 said:

    Becky, Sharon and Richard you have my deepest sympathy.

  5. Roxy Houg on January 27, 2025 said:

    My Deepest Sympathy goes out to Sharon, Richard, Becky and all the family and friends in the loss of Ron. May God be with all of you and give you comfort during this difficult time.

  6. Randy severson on January 27, 2025 said:

    sorry for your loss.remember Ronnie driving me and Richard to numerous local fishing spots when we were young.thanks for your service.

  7. Darcy Ellefson on January 29, 2025 said:

    Ron was a cherished friend of the pulmonary rehab exercise group for many years. We enjoyed his infectious smile, quick wit and warm giggle. He willingly let us dress him up as Santa Claus (I have some precious pictures if the family wants them) for our yearly outings to Royal Fork until one year we couldn’t get him out of the suit and had to cut it off. We laughed about that for years. Ron was a kind man and friend to all. God bless his memory.

  8. Pam Rogers on January 30, 2025 said:

    I am so sorry for your loss, working a partial shift so will not be able to come tonight. He will be miss. May God welcome him home.

  9. Christy on January 30, 2025 said:

    I cut his hair as a volunteer & was grateful to be a part of his life. He was a nice man that was so proud of his children & grandchildren. He always talked about them & their accomplishments. God’s love & peace to his family

  10. Kaye Richter (Nodja Smethurst) on February 20, 2025 said:

    Rest in peace, dear classmate & fellow graduate of CHS class of 1969….until we meet again. My sincere condolences to your family.