Benjamin J "Ben" Stensrud

Benjamin Jon Stensrud
Ben Stensrud, 58, passed away Saturday 11/18/2017 at his home in Missoula.
Ben was born on Nov 3, 1959 in Missoula to Boyd and Dorothy Stensrud. Ben attended school at Washington Grade School, Sentinel High School, and Missoula Vo-Tech. Ben was gifted with an ability to make and keep friends. He had friends that he remembered walking to the first day of school with that he was still close to later in life. Once you were Ben’s friend, you were in his life for good. He treasured and nurtured relationships. If you were a friend of Ben’s, you could expect to receive handwritten cards in the mail on a pretty regular basis. He loved to send notes to loved ones “just because”. After he was unable to work and had a lot of free time on his hands, he used that time to write letters. As we went through his things this past week, we found several sealed and addressed cards. We made sure they had postage and mailed them off for him. Just one more little surprise mailing!
Ben married Rosie Garner 8/16/1986 and the couple had 2 sons: Adam and Neal Stensrud. The couple later divorced in 2002. Ben loved his boys and was incredibly proud of them. The chances he had to spend with his sons were his happiest times. Ben felt family was very important, he liked knowing about his ancestors and how their lives influenced who he was to become. He was a proud Norwegian and loved his Mom’s lefse at Christmas.
Ben worked in Member Services for Missoula Federal Credit Union for 20 years. He started at MFCU right after graduating from Missoula Vo-Tech starting in the IT Department. He was thrilled when he got a different position that allowed him to interact with members all day. Again, he was creating friendships that would last long after he was disabled and unable to continue working. For several years Ben worked part-time at The Learning Tree as well. He was proud of the windowscapes he created there. He loved buying toys and books for his sons.
He had been a member of 1st Lutheran Church for all but a few years of his life, when he was a member at Messiah Lutheran and then Atonement Lutheran while raising his family. Ben’s faith was central to his life. His trust, confidence, and love for his Lord was evident to anyone he met. Over the years Ben held many positions, and worked with several different boards within the church. He was a delegate to the LCMS Annual Meeting one year and that was a high point for him. Ben was also active with the Journey and Walk to Emmaus communities. He travelled to Billings to work at a Via De Christo weekend once. These cursillo based weekend helped Ben develop an active relationship with Jesus, and this was another relationship he treasured and nurtured.
Ben was a collector. In addition to collecting friends, he had a wonderful collection of Dala horses. While he worked at The Learning Tree, he collected Beanie Babies. Over the years he also collected Tom Clark gnomes, Jan Hagara figurines and Cherished Teddies. He cherished the couple of Hummel and LLadro pieces that had been his Moms. He remembered where each piece came from and the story behind it.
He was proceeded in death by his parents. Survivors include his sons Adam and Neal (Kasey Burton) Stensrud, and his brothers Ken (Cheryl), Andy (Tina), and Jim (Barb) Stensrud, along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. Ben loved his nieces and nephews, he loved Christmas shopping for them all year long. Ben loved to have at least one Christmas present wrapped and stashed in his closet by the first part of January; often almost forgetting what he already bought 11 months before giving it at Christmas.
There was a memorial service at First Lutheran Church, 2808 South Ave W, Missoula Mt 59804, Saturday 11/25/17. Ben will be interred at a family cemetery near Twin Bridges in the spring. The family suggests donations to the children’s ministry at First Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
A poem found among Ben’s things that fits him perfectly:
Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant too.
We are Pilgrims on a journey; we are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.
I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in Heaven, we shall find such harmony.
Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (Ben’s confirmation verse)