Jean Stenberg, 84, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Sunday, January 2, 2011 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at the Evangelical Free Church, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM at the church on Wednesday.

Jean Lois Bucholz was born on November 23, 1926 in Grygla, MN the daughter of Frederick Fred and Wilhelmina Minnie (Franzman) Bucholz. She was baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran faith on December 23, 1926 and confirmed on August 25, 1940 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Grygla. She attended school in Grygla, graduated from Goodridge High School, and attended the Area Vocational Technical School in Thief River Falls.

On December 12, 1943, Jean was united in marriage to Morris Alton Stenberg in Grygla. To this union six children were born: Sharon, Nancy, Morris, Gloria, Cynthia and Mark. They made their first home on a farm northeast of Grygla where they raised crops and operated a dairy farm and milk route. Jean and Morris then owned and operated several businesses including a service station, trailer park, drive-in restaurant and grocery store in International Falls, MN and Prescott, AZ before making their permanent home in Thief River Falls. While living in Thief River Falls, Jean worked at Johnnies Caf, Red Owl Store, Bjorkmans, and Northwestern Bell Telephone.

Grandma Jean, as she was affectionately known, was a lovely, gracious woman who was passionate about her faith and selflessly served her family and others. Her greatest earthly joy was the blessing of her family. She also shared her love and joy with Greenleaf residents and everyone she knew and felt especially honored to share that love with her daycare children. Jean enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting and needlework, and with the help of her daughters and friends was able to publish a cookbook. Music, especially singing gospel hymns, was an important part of her life. She attended the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls.

Survivors include six children, Sharon (Dennis) McCullough of Thief River Falls, Nancy (Wayne) Dahl of Mentor, MN, Morrie (Karen) Stenberg of Plymouth, MN, Gloria (Jerry) Schulte of Thief River Falls, Cindy (John) Krankkala of Thief River Falls, and Mark (Kathy) Stenberg of Nevis, MN; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald (Marilyn) Bucholz of Carrington, ND; brother-in-law, Harvey Ness of Thief River Falls; sister-in-law, Jeanette Bucholz of Grand Forks, ND; and many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris in 2005; parents; great-grandson, Joseph Frederick Desrocher; sisters, Lorraine (Harold) Finney and Fay Ness; and brother, Harley Bucholz.

END NEWSPAPER OBITUARY HERE!!!!!!!

Music will be provided by Jeans family, friends, and the Lincoln High School Choir.

Casketbearers: Jeans Sons & Sons-in-law
Honorary Casketbearers: Jeans Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your goodness to us.
Make us mindful that everything that we have is a gift from You.
Thank you, Father, for Your continual love for us.
Be with and bless each one, and make me worthy of my beloved family
and grant me the wisdom to realize how blessed I am.
In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
-Jean Stenberg