Dorothy Marcella Schmaing Stenseth, 86
Dorothy Marcella Schmaing Stenseth, beloved mother, grandmother, friend to many, and "child of God," passed away Jan 15, 2006, at age 86.
Dorothy was born to Henry and Clara (Vangerud) Schmaing on Feb. 28, 1919, in Fargo, N.D. She attended school there, including St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing.
Dorothy married Gilman Stenseth, also of Fargo, in 1939, where they resided. To this union three children were born, Richard "RJ" Stenseth of Houston, Charlotte "CJ" Stenseth of Kalispell and Donna Stenseth Larsen of Seattle. She also has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Bradley Johnson and family of Sweden, Karl Johnson Perkins and family of Saudi Arabia, and Kristen Stenseth and daughter of Santa Fe, N.M.
Dorothy's parents, husbands and sister have preceded her in death.
In 1953, Gil and Dorothy purchased Modern Machinery Co., of Kalispell, and thus started their love affair with Montana, the Flathead Valley and its people. Dorothy dedicated her life to God, her family, her community and Montana. She loved people and was inspired by them. Dorothy taught at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in many phases, including a two-year adult Bethel course for college credit.
She worked with the Red Cross on county and state levels, starting the blood-drawing program throughout the valley. She also drew up a plan for all the blood-drawing sites in the state. Then the United Way called on her for help. She was its second executive. She initiated meetings for all state executives. The United Way grew rapidly and was able to assist more and more organizations.
All the while she also supported the Republican Party, organizing and assisting with local, state and national campaigns. She served as state committeewoman for 20 years and was often referred to as "Mrs. Republican."
In 1980, Dorothy married Doug Christensen, with whom she spent 23 happy years before his death in 2003.
"Dorothy's reward for all this was learning to know God's presence was with her always, and she is with him today." She was happy when she could ease the lives of others in some way.
She was honored publicly by a nomination to "Who's Who of American Women."
For the past five years she resided at Buffalo Hill Terrace where she was the president of the Resident Association, and so enjoyed her many dear friends there.
Her family was her greatest joy as she encouraged them in the appreciation of beauty, music, art and excellence.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Buffalo Hill Terrace.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.