Clifford Stenstrom

Clifford A. Stenstrom, 91, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls. He was born January 11, 1920, in Elizabeth Township of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, the son of Gabriel and Anna (Formo) Stenstrom. He was baptized and confirmed at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, Minnesota. He attended country school, and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1939. On May 19, 1944, he married Marjorie Tomhave at the United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls. On June 17, 1944 he was drafted into the United States Army and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in France and Germany. When the war ended he served in the Occupational Army until he was honorably discharged June 17, 1946. While in the Occupational Army he enrolled in the Army Education Program for auto mechanics. When discharged he continued that education and became an automobile mechanic. He worked for several years at the Fergus Nash garage, and later for Suhr Ford as a mechanic. For a short time he owned and operated Cliff's Pure Oil Station. In 1966 he began working for the City of Fergus Falls in their maintenance shop, later becoming the shop foreman. He retired from the city on April 1, 1985. Cliff was an active member of Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. He sang in the church choir for many years, and served on the Property Board. He was a member of the Fergus Falls VFW. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, gardening, playing softball, and all outdoor sports. He also enjoyed doing things for other people. He worked many nights fixing cars for people. Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers: Robert, Vernon, Eugene and his wife Doris, and Arthur; a sister, Lorraine and her husband Glenn Rylander; brother-in-law Merle Briggs; and sister-in-law Audrey Stenstrom. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Stenstrom, of Fergus Falls; three children: Barb (Dave) Buschkopf of Montrose, CO, Linda (Mike Weirens) Stenstrom of Sartell, MN, and Bruce (Lynn) Stenstrom of Fergus Falls; eight grandchildren: Angela Zuber, Jeffrey (Katherine) Benzmiller, Jason Benzmiller, Nick Anderson (fianceè Carrie), Jenny Anderson, Annie (Aaron) Onkka, Amanda Stenstrom (fiancè Justin), and Rebecca Stenstrom; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Pearl Briggs; a brother, Alvin (June) Stenstrom; sisters-in-law Alice, Mary and Darlene Stenstrom; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Phil Tobin Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Military Participation by the Fergus Falls VFW and American Legion Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls