Rosella “Rosie” Ida Stensland, 90, passed away on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family at Sanford Canton-Inwood Hospital, Canton, South Dakota.
A Celebration of Life was held on Aug. 28, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Inwood, Iowa. A visitation took place on Aug. 27, 2023, from 3-5 p.m. at the church.
Rosella “Rosie” Ida Wiebe Stensland was born on July 27, 1933, near George, Iowa, to William and Marie (Ludwig) Wiebe. When she was a young girl, her family moved to Canton, South Dakota, and then to Beloit, Iowa, where she attended grade school. She was confirmed at Canton Lutheran Church in 1948 and graduated from Canton High School in 1952.
Rosie was united in marriage to Arthur Stensland on March 23, 1952, in Luverne, Minnesota, while he was home on leave from the Army. Instead of enjoying a honeymoon together, Art left for his assignment in Germany while Rosie finished her senior year at Canton High School.
Following graduation, Rosie lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, attended South Dakota Beauty Academy for Cosmetology, and then worked in the office at John Morrell & Co. while she waited for Art to return home from service in September 1953. After Art’s discharge, the couple lived and farmed near Larchwood (Klondike), Iowa. They were blessed with six children. In addition to raising their family, volunteering at church, and helping on the farm, Rosie worked for 42 years as a cook in the West Lyon School District, retiring at the age of 76.
Rosie was a generous, sociable, and faithful woman who loved her family deeply. Faith, family, and friends were most important to her. She was constantly busy and was happiest when helping others. She and Art always made sure everyone felt welcome in their home. Rosie was an excellent cook and baker who loved to share her goodies with others. She was famous for her mouth-watering chocolate cake, banana bread, buttermilk pancakes, raisin cream pie, and potato salad.
Rosie was a longtime, active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she participated in many activities, including Ladies’ Aid, heading up the funeral and wedding committees, and preparing and serving food for hundreds of Family Night church suppers throughout many decades.
In her younger days, Rosie spent several years painting and wallpapering for relatives and friends and played in a weekly bowling league. Rosie loved flowers and plants and enjoyed giving and receiving them as gifts. When she took time to relax, she enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles, especially in her later years. Rosie and Art belonged to a pinochle card club for many years and greatly enjoyed visiting friends and relatives.
As a two-time cancer survivor, Rosie was so thankful for the extra years God granted her with her family and friends. Her family witnessed her courage, determination, and faith in God while she fought this disease. She also claimed she got through many trials in life because she was a “tough German.”
Rosie and Art were proud parents of “six good kids,” as she would call them. Rosie was a faithful attendee of hundreds of her grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ events and had a way of making each one of them feel special. Rosie’s legacy of generosity, helping others, hard work, faithfulness, and unconditional love will live on forever in each one of her family members.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 71 years, Art; children, Cindy Koch, Lynette (Doug Bos) Stensland, Doug (Mona) Stensland, Mark Stensland (Jesse Plaetz), Brian Stensland, and Lisa Larsen (Phil Jacobson); 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Mickey Stensland; and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; seven siblings and their spouses; and son-in-law, Charlie Larsen.
Arrangements were by Anderson Funeral Home of Canton, SD, www.andersonandsonsfh.com