Olav Stenberg

1929 - 2025

Our Dad passed away in Big Timber on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 95 1/2 years old. Dad was born September 28, 1929 at "Stenberg" in Moi, Norway to parents, Severine and Selmer Stenberg. He was the middle son of 3 boys. His older brother, Torbjorn stayed on the family farm in Moi, married and raised 5 children. His younger brother, Ivar, followed him to Big Timber, married Peggy Thomason and raised 2 sons, Erik and Karl. Dad skied to school and church (uphill both ways, of course) in Moi and helped on the family farm. He served in the Norwegian Military Service in Norway and Germany in Brigade 501 for 2 years. He also worked in the Hydro Electric Tunnels in Lyse & Valdres for several years. When Dad was growing up, his father, Selmer, had come to Montana several times as a sheepherder so Dad grew up hearing stories of Montana. Naturally, seeking his own adventure and opportunities, he secured passage on the Queen Elizabeth as soon as he could. He got his chance the summer of 1951 - at just 21 years old. He landed in New York on July 24, 1951. He stayed with friends in New York, worked during the day tearing down old buildings and going to night school to learn English. However, New York was not his ultimate destination - Big Timber, Montana was. After 8 months, he boarded the Greyhound Bus - last stop was the Grand Hotel on April 8, 1952. Albert & Elsie Strand, his U.S. sponsors, had found him a cowboying job on the Adams Ranch in Melville. He was at the Adams Ranch for 3 1/2 years and then on to the American Chrome Mine in Nye, Montana where he was "in charge" of a lot of dynamite. It was during these years that he met our Mom, Gladys Krone. Many dances later, they married in a snowstorm on January 20, 1957 and took a honeymoon trip to Norway that summer. They lived at Nye where Dad was working until they had the opportunity to buy our Grandma Nora's ranch at Reed Point on the Yellowstone River in 1958. Two daughters, Lois (1959) and Esther (1964), were born on the Yellowstone. They ranched there until 1966 when they sold out and moved south of Big Timber to the current ranch on the Boulder River. Son, Stuart, was born there in 1968. McLeod became our family's beloved and forever home. We herded sheep, branded calves, fed pigs, rode horses, hunted eggs, canned vegetables, picked apples, picked rocks, baled hay, milked cows and irrigated. Dad and Mom put in endless hours living their ranching dream and raising a family, a true Norwegian immigrant success story that we are all very proud of. Mom passed away in August of 2019 from cancer. Gone way too soon and Dad never really recovered from the shock of not having her at his side in his sunset years. Dad was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and kept in touch with, and often hosted, countless relatives and friends. Mom and Dad took several trips back to Norway. Dad was proud to be a U.S. citizen but his homeland was never far from his mind. He never missed an opportunity to converse with anyone in Norwegian and never lost his Norwegian accent - or his love for kumla, lefse and lamb farikal. Dad loved his family and was very proud of all of the accomplishments of his kids and grandkids. He is survived by his 3 children and their families: Lois (Steve Spencer), Brian and Lise; Esther (Joel Peterson) and Stuart (Dava), Jacob and Tucker and numerous nieces & nephews. In June, he would have been a Great-Grandpa to Brian and Stacy's child on the way. His memory will live on in all of our hearts and we'll miss him dearly. His ranching legacy continues with Stuart, Dava, Jacob (Lainey) and Tucker (Hannah) as the stewards of the land he loved. The strong foundation Mom and Dad gave us is priceless and beyond words of appreciation. Rest in peace, Dad, and may you and Mom be waltzing together again, this time on Heaven's dance floor. Services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. Stenberg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Donations in memory of Dad may be made to the Big Timber American Legion Post #19 (PO Box 51), the Sweet Grass County Fire Dept. (PO Box 264) or the charity of your choice.