Roy Oscar Stenmark, 72

Roy Oscar Stenmark was born on June 23, 1952, at the Crookston hospital to Oscar and Adele (Swanson) Stenmark. Roy was their only child. He graduated from Lancaster High School in 1970 and later joined the army, being honorably discharged in 1972. He then attended Northland Technical Community College in Thief River Falls, MN, studying agriculture.

In 1976, Roy married Kathy and quickly adopted her two daughters, Shannon and Simonette, and raised them as his own. Tara joined the family in 1977 and then finally a boy, Reed, in 1980. Roy was so grateful to have a full house, as this was something he never experienced growing up.

He farmed alongside his father for many years. As time moved on, he eventually farmed with his son. The Stenmark farm was also awarded Kittson County Century farm, which he was so proud of. Reed then took over the farm in 2012, but Roy still loved to help any way he could.

Roy worked at Motor Coach Industries in Pembina, ND, for 25 years. After his retirement, he often spoke of how he missed his work family. He made many lifelong friends there.

Roy enjoyed traveling, with one of his most recent trips being to Florida with his buddy, Gator. He also enjoyed morning coffee at the local café in Lancaster. He was the king of joke telling and loved getting his grandchildren laughing. He was a lengthy story teller, giving great detail to every story.

Retirement was definitely not what Roy expected. He missed having his purpose. Recently he began to struggle with mental health issues and eventually succumbed to the illness.

Roy is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kathy, Lancaster, MN; Shannon (Rodney) Bakken, Hallock, MN; Simonette (Justin) Gram, Golden Lake, ND; Tara Stenmark (Todd Porter), Karlstad, MN; Reed Stenmark (Monica Anderson), Lancaster, MN; and all his beloved grandchildren, Matthew, Tyler, Bode, Cheyanne, Alex, Keaton, Siri, Joie, Kiefer, Brynlee, and Soren.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 15 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lancaster Covenant Church. Visitation will be held in the church for an hour before the service.