William Stenseth

William “Willie” Stenseth, age 84, of Decorah, IA, died on Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at the Calmar Lutheran Church, in Calmar, IA, with Rev. Norman Bauer presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be given in memory of William Stenseth to the Calmar Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 398, Calmar, IA 52132. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Monday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar, IA, and after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Tuesday morning. William Martin Stenseth was born on June 3, 1927, the son of William and Marvel (Stovern) Stenseth on the family farm east of Calmar, IA. William attended Calmar grade and high school. William married Jeanette Knutson Rustad January 24, 1974 at Madison Lutheran Church rural Decorah. He farmed the family farm for many years, retiring and moving into Calmar in 1990. They then moved to Decorah in 2010. William enjoyed traveling and taking trips, playing cards, golfing at the South Winn Golf Course, and reading the newspapers at the library. William was an avid Chicago Cub and Iowa Hawkeye fan; and was a member of Hawkeye Silver Club. Above all, Willie had a passion to buy new cars, purchasing over 70 throughout his lifetime. He was a member of the Calmar Lutheran Church in Calmar, Iowa. William’s survivors include his wife: Jeanette Stenseth, Decorah, IA. One son: Phil (Jackie) Rustad, Decorah, IA. Two daughters: Diane Knutson, Decorah, IA and Kari (Gary) Anfinson, Denver, IA. Eleven grandchildren: Martin (Juli) Knutson, Heather (Cory) Syverson, Justin (Tasha) Knutson, Michelle (Brandon) Stille, Michael (Tara) Knutson, Jayme (Janet) Rustad, Jennifer (David) Schmelzer, Ben (friend, Danielle Gerleman) Rustad, Sara (Jason) Goodman, Kaia Anfinson, and Abby (Jordan) Zaputil. Twenty-five great grandchildren: Mara, Arianna, Tanner & Isabella Knutson; Olivia, Grace, Cora & Ava Syverson; Brady & Ella Stille; Gavin & Grant Knutson; Josephine Knutson & another baby due on Nov. 2011; Kayla, Amanda, Lexi & Connor Rustad; Jordan, Mariah, Blake, Carter & Annika Schmelzer; Quinn Goodman; and Zearley Zaputil. Two sisters-in-law: Alice Stenseth, Calmar, IA; and Phyllis Faldet, Decorah, IA, along with many nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his parents: William and Marvel (Stovern) Stenseth. One sister: Grace Stenseth. One brother: Sidney Stenseth. One great granddaughter: Kari Anderson.