John S. Stebbins (1844-1946)

STEBBINS, SEVERSON, MALAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Evening Journal March 16, 1944 (page 3)

Funeral Services Held at Slater for Pioneer Citizen

Slater, March 16--Funeral services for John Stenberg, 97, were held Sunday afternoon. A brief prayer service was held at the home at 2 o'clock and at 2:30 services were held at the Bethlehem Lutheran church. Rev. P. E. Onstad had charge of the services, assisted by Rev. E. R. Rorem of Story City.

The beautiful floral offerings were arranged by Mrs. M. S. Heggen and Mrs. R. C. Lande. A large number of gifts to missions in memory of Mr. Stenberg were given by relatives and friends.

M. C. Severson of Ames sang a solo, "Behold a Host." Rev. P. E. Onstad sang a Norwegian solo, "Jeg Veed Mig En Sovn I Jesu Navn," and the congregation sang the hymn, "O Happy Day When We Shall Stand."

In behalf of the relatives Dr. G. J. Severson gave a talk on the life of Mr. Stenberg, who was his uncle.

The pallbearers were J. C. Ersland and H. O. Peterson of Ames; Martin Maland of Huxley; James Stenberg of Ellsworth; Casper Stenberg of Jewell, and Louis Sheldahl. Burial was made in the Bethlehem cemetery.

Johannes Stenberg was born at Toten, Hedemarken, Norway, August 2, 1846, and died March 1, 1944 at his home in Slater at the age of 97 years, 7 months and 8 days. He grew to manhood in the community of his birth and came to America with his parents in 1866. After a three year stay in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he came to Iowa, joining his parents who lived in a sod house on a claim southeast of the present town of Sheldahl.

His marriage to Mary Severson took place at the Palestine church in 1873 with Rev. Osmond Sheldahl officiating. Having no children of their own, they reared four foster children, Carrie Mason, Linnie and Minnie Lilleberg and the late Rev. John Stenberg of Duluth, Minn.

When the town of Sheldahl was founded he was persuaded to open a wagon and cabinet shop. Later he was joined by his brother, Severt and the firm became known as John Stenberg and Bro. In 1886 he moved back to the farm south of Huxley, where he lived until 1898 when he moved to Slater, where he continued to live until death called him.

His wife died in 1908. In 1910 he married Martha Maland, who survives him.

He was a man long to be remembered by all who knew him, as a fine Christian man, who loved to serve and do good. As a member of the Palestine and Bethlehem congregations, he served in many capacities as chorister, deacon, trustee, secretary, S. S. supt., S. S. teacher and in many other ways. He was blessed with a fine personality and made friends everywhere. He is survived by his wife, two foster daughters, Mrs. H. O. Peterson of Ames and Mrs. A. G. Raynes of Ames and three half brothers, Henry Stenberg of Thompson, Joseph Stenberg of Elmore, Minn., and Oscar Stenberg of Webster City, and a large number of relatives and friends.