Roberta “Bert” Stenberg, 89, of Mitchell, passed away on April 4, 2021 at her home. Her memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Mitchell with Pastor Joe Schumacher officiating. Graveside services will be held this summer in Kalispell, Montana. Online condolences may be left at www.jones-morturary.com. Jones Mortuary in Mitchell is entrusted with arrangements.
Bert was born February 7, 1932 in Park Rapids, Minnesota to John and Muriel (Arrowood) Morris and they then moved to Eureka, Montana. In 1935 her father passed away and she was then raised by her much loved stepfather Richard Bright. The family moved to Idaho, Oregon and Washington before deciding it was time to go home to Eureka where Bert finished her education at Lincoln County High School.
On December 31, 1949 Bert married the love of her life, John Stenberg, from Kalispell and they were married for 66 years. From this union four children were born: Karen, Phillip, Janice and Suzanne. Bert loved being a mother very much. In addition, she was very active in the Kalispell community and at her church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Bert served many roles at the church including: BLCW president, council, wedding coordinator and several others. In addition, she was a charter member of West Valley School and held each office at least three separate times. Bert was also chairman of the county committee that organized the first amblyopic screening for area schools which is now routine. Lastly, she was a 30-year member of the Three Jays Extension Homemakers and in 1987, Bert was recognized for her efforts and was the recipient of the Flathead County Homemaker of the Year Award.
In 1990 after 35 years of working for Grosswiler Dairy, of which John was manager and she was a bookkeeper, they retired and moved to Mitchell, Nebraska to be close to family. She and John joined the Mitchell United Methodist Church and became active here. As she became a Nebraskan, Bert found she loved cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and she also enjoyed working at Target for seven years. In her retirement she was a traveler, gardener and her big passion was genealogy and sharing her family’s history with her loved ones.
Family meant everything to Bert and she is survived by son Phillip Stenberg (Susanne) of Boise, Idaho; three daughters Karen French (Doug) of Mitchell, Janice Walsh (Frank) of Thousand Oaks, California, and Suzanne Clark of Woodbury, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Travis French, Hilary Kimball, Shaunda French-Collins, Annelise Walsh, Emma Walsh, Jacob Schmidt and Jessica Schmidt. In addition, three step grandchildren Craig Robison, Kyle Robison and Carissa Sage and 11 great grandchildren. Lastly, she is survived by her sister Norma “James” Faulkner of Tucson, Arizona and many additional loved ones.
She is preceded in death by her beloved John, “Johnny”, who passed away on July 14, 2016. She is also preceded in death by her parents; stepfather; brothers John and Chester Morris; son-in-law Timothy Clark and grandson Zachary Schmidt.
Strong in her faith, it is only fitting that Bert passed away on Easter Sunday. Memorials in Bert’s memory and honor may be sent to the Mitchell United Methodist Church.
