Ernest Ire Stensland, age 99, passed away on January 5, 2017 at Northeast Montana Health Services in Wolf Point. Ernest was born November 19, 1917 in Edmore, North Dakota to Lars and Dina Stensland.
During Pearl Harbor he was out trapping muskrats with his brother-in-law, Don Nelson. He entered the Navy on January 19, 1944, and served on the U.S.S. Crittenden.
Ernest married Anne Nykolayow on November 6, 1948 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. They made their home in the Benrud Community (Buzzard’s Glory Farms). Ernest was a farmer and rancher and loved them both. Some of his cows had names and were so tame you could pet them.
Ernest had a deep passion for his potatoes which he loved to give away. He loved to visit and dance with his sweetheart Anne. Ernest was a great hunter and a great shot. Branding was a wonderful time for him to visit with family and friends.
Solitaire was the game he loved and he played with the same deck until you couldn’t read the numbers. He was a faithful visitor at the nursing home to see his friends. He was also proud of the 19 gallons of blood he donated.
Ernest is survived by his 5 children, Larry Stensland, Dianne (Steve) Hoversland, James (Louise) Stensland, Sheri Stensland, and Wayne Stensland;his grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Nasner, David (Aaron) Hoversland, Andrea Hoversland, Kevin Hoversland, Angela (Shawntel) Stensland, Barbara Stensland-Henthorn, Christine (Chad) Francis, Jamee (Jesse) Wagenmann, and Taylor Stensland. There are also many nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Lars and Dina; his wife, Anne of 68 years; his sisters, Junette Nelson, Alice Dorsett, Doris Brown, Marion Ahrens, and brother, George Stensland; and his son in law, Stephen Hoversland.
Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until vigil services at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9, at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be shared for the family at claytonstevensonchapel.com