Service: Private family services will be held. A public service will be held at a later date.
Rose Marie “Rosie” Stensland, age 89, of Canton, SD, went to her heavenly home on Monday, March 23, 2020. Private family services will be held. A public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Shalom Lutheran Church or Forest Hill Cemetery.
Rosie was born on July 20, 1930 in Sioux City, IA to Irving and Bertha (Enstad) Cox. She was baptized and confirmed at Canton Lutheran Church. She attended Highland #41 country school and graduated from Canton High School in 1948. She married Melvin Stensland on February 12, 1949 in Luverne, MN. The couple farmed and raised their four children on a farm northwest of Canton, SD. Melvin passed away on August 17, 2016.
Rosie was a kind, sweet woman with a fun-loving nature. She was not afraid of hard work and enjoyed mowing the lawn, feeding bottle calves, and recently enjoyed watching the squirrels at the feeder. She was a 4-H leader and a great cook and baker who will be remembered for her lefse, potato dumplings, bread, and desserts. As a child she had a sheep named Sally and rode a horse called Nancy to country school- Nancy often got loose and went back home. Rosie was a Sunday School teacher at Beaver Creek Lutheran Church and assisted with the ice cream socials, Easter sunrise breakfasts, Ladies aide, and much more. After Beaver Creek closed in 1978, Melvin and Rosie joined Shalom Lutheran. There she was also active with Shalom breakfasts, Circle, Bible study and quilting group.
Carrying her memory forward are her children Becky Poss and Ronald, both of Sioux Falls, SD, Sharon Skaien and Richard (Pam) all of Canton, SD; grandchildren- Heather (Bill) Legel, Shawna (Tyler) Abbott, Waylon (Amanda) Stensland, Ryan Stensland, Mark (Beth) Poss II, and Matthew (Samantha) Poss; step grandchildren, Toni Flores and Terry Mullinix; 10 great-grandchildren; 4 step great-grandchildren; a step great-great-grandchild due in October; 2 godchildren, Loren Wallem and Lisa Stensland Larsen; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her beloved dog, Mikey. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin, and son-in-law, David Skaien.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I remember her as being a quiet women with a twinkle in her eye. It was like she knew what we were doing and whether she approved or not she never said anything. She knew we would learn by our mistakes. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief.
Rosie was always easy to talk to and will always be remembered as one of those wonderful people in the community that we grew up in, especially in the Beaver Creek Lutheran Church family. Sorry to hear of your loss.
My heartfelt sympathy to the Stensland family. I remember your mom as such a sweet lady. Cherish the memories! You are in my thoughts & prayers.
Marlys
Becky, Ron, Sharon and Richard and families,
My heart was saddened to hear of your Mother’s passing. Aunt Rosie was a special lady who was filled with unconditional love for everyone. I wish I could be with you to give you all hugs. Please know that my family and I are praying for you. Blessed be Rosie’s memory.
Love and prayers,
Lynette Stensland and Doug Bos and family