Maurice Stenseth, Thief River Falls, MN, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Oakland Park Nursing Home, Thief River Falls, MN, with family members by his side.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 14, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Thief River Falls, MN, with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating.  Interment will follow at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN.  Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.

Maurice Stenseth was born December 28, 1925 at home in Smiley Township, MN, the son of Lewis and Tina (Hanson) Stenseth.  He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Thief River Falls, MN.  He was the youngest of 13 children born to his family and lived to be the oldest. Maurice was very proud of his family heritage.  He attended Hummer Country School, grades 1 through 8.

He was drafted into the United States Army at 28 years old in November 1954 and served until 1956.  He had been getting farm deferments up till then.  Maurice completed the 8 week basic training at Fort Leonard, Missouri.  He then trained for 8 more weeks in Army Engineer School to operate crawlers and heavy equipment for building bridges.  He was the top student in the class.  He was shipped to Germany for 18 months of his 2 years.

In December of 1969, Maurice was united in marriage to Helen (Hanson) Stenseth.  They enjoyed many years of farming and traveling together.

Maurice thoroughly enjoyed his farming, talking to his neighbors over an endless cup of coffee, and lots and lots of reading.  They also enjoyed taking drives, stopping for ice cream, and visiting with family and grandchildren.  He will always be remembered for his "horsey rides" and the gum in his pocket.

Maurice was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, the American Legion for 51 years, the Eagles for 73 years, a life member the VFW, and the Cooties.

Memorials preferred to the Bethany Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Maurice is survived by his children, Carol (John) Wroblewski of Oak Grove, MN, Rick (Debi) Stenseth of Moorhead, MN and Mark (Sheila) Stenseth of Goodridge, MN, daughter-in-law Patricia Stenseth of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren Scott (Jodi) Wroblewski, Jim (Angie) Wroblewski, Brian (Amy) Stenseth, Kim (Mike) (Stenseth) Blythe, Jill Williams, Ashley (Dusty) (Stenseth) Arlt, DeAnna (Judd) (Stenseth) Alby, Jeanene (Bill) (Stenseth) Stanley, Sarah (Keith) (Stenseth) Robinson, Josh Stenseth and Becca (Fiancé Patrick Barry) Stenseth; great-grandchildren  Dominique, Brody, Samantha, Teresa, Tabitha, Jerimiah, Noah, Kasey, Blake, Ayana, Jace, Oliver, Blake, Kumari, Hunter, Sophia, Kylie, Brenna, Logan, Lucas, Jace, Claire, and Amya; along with several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents; son Jerry Stenseth; grandson, Cory Stenseth; siblings, Lewis, Art, Johnny, Lynn, Theodore, Melvin, Lily, Signe, Ruth, Ann, and Edith.