Lois Stensland

Larchwood, Iowa Lois Stensland (nee McCormick) age 89 of Larchwood, Iowa went home on April 5, 2013. Memorial service will be 10:30 am Tuesday, April 9th at Our Saviors Lutheran Church rural Inwood, IA, with private burial prior to the service. Visitation will be held Monday, April 8th at Our Saviors Lutheran Church from 4:00 - 8;00 pm with family present from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Lyon County Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Lois Claudine McCormick was born May 11, 1923 in Gary, South Dakota, the daughter of Claude and Marie Helena (Bultman) McCormick. As a young girl her family moved to Canton, South Dakota. She graduated from Canton High School in 1940. Lois was united in marriage to Orville W. Stensland on July 13, 1941 at Adams City, CO. They lived in the Colorado area for 2 years, before moving to the Stensland family homestead near Klondike, IA. There they farmed and raised six children. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, active with several church groups. She was a member of the Red Hats of Larchwood also known as the Razzle Dazzle Dollies. She enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles, jumble words, flowers, watching birds and coffee with friends. Lois and Orville enjoyed polka dances visiting the regional dance halls in the area. They were blessed with many trips, traveling the U.S. with friends and family. On April 5, 1999 Loiss husband Orville died from an extended illness, after 57 years of marriage. Lois continued living at their farm near Klondike until August of 2008 when she moved to Hiawatha Heights in Canton, SD. In May of 2010 she entered Fellowship Village in Inwood, IA, where she remained until this past Friday, April 5, 2013 when she died at the age of 89. Orville preceded her in death 14 years ago to the day. She is survived by six children, Janice Stensland of Denver, CO, Gayle Severson of West Liberty, IA, Dennis (Janet) Stensland of Larchwood, IA, David (Marsha) Stensland of Larchwood, IA, Jean (Michael) Gerritsen of Ankeny, IA and Linda (Marty) Doherty of Sioux Falls, SD; twelve grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; four brothers-in-law, Chuck Dunlap of Grand Blanc, MI, Melvin (Rosie) Stensland of Canton, SD, Marlo (Mickey) Stensland of Larchwood, IA, Art (Rosie) Stensland of Larchwood, IA and two sisters-in-law Joyce (Kenny) Claussen of Rock Valley, IA; Donna McCormick of Alta Loma, CA and many, many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; and her grandson, Jeffrey Severson.