Ann Mary Stenberg

Ann Mary (Pospisil) Stenberg passed away Sunday, April 17, 2011, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. She was born on March 25, 1938, in Omaha, Neb., to Jerry and Ann Pospisil. She graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1956. She met my father, Herbert Frank Stenberg, when he was working at Billings Heights I.G.A. They were married at Saint Pius X Catholic Church in Billings in 1957. In 1959 one daughter, Deborrah Ann Stenberg was born at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings.

Ann had attended college at Eastern Montana College shortly after graduating. She had studied Business Management and did some part-time bookkeeping. She was an intelligent woman, a very meaningful person and she offered so much. The definition of kindness was from the voice of my wonderful mother. All the reasons to praise her was the strength she once held and she had shared that so generously with others.

In her younger, healthier days my mother enjoyed each day and appreciated every night knowing there would always be another tomorrow. She was very creative, and independent. She excelled in cooking and all of us willingly devoured everything she made. Her homemade soups, her lasagna, green bean casserole and chili were all big hits at the Stenberg home. She always wanted to do things for herself without any help from others and that meant staying out of certain territories, one most definitely being her kitchen. She was a dedicated wife, a devoted mother, and she loved her two grandchildren Chase and Brittney Plum.

She cared about her friends and was always so kind to other people. She was an active church member and would always devote her time to help with most of the church activities and functions. She was gifted, knowledgeable, and had a treasured way of giving and sharing her time, her consideration, and all of her worldly characteristics. As time had defined my mother and her nature, she was strong, very assertive, and an inspiration to so many people in her life. Her family and friends loved her, admired her, and respected her, mainly for the person she was. Her neighbors were important to her and she considered them very dear friends.

My mother was diagnosed with many different illnesses in approximately 2007, yet she continued to struggle and stay with us. She was tearful and tired towards the end of her life and her strength had turned to weakness and sadness. She knew there were no more tomorrows. My mother will always be remembered for every remarkable accomplishment, for all her outstanding abilities, and for her continuous efforts for making life a blessing to me as her daughter and to others who had the privilege of meeting and sharing their life with a woman I considered a Gem. We will miss her, yet cherish and remember all the good things she rewarded our lives with, and each day that goes by there will always be a reminder of Ann Mary (Pospisil) Stenberg. Time will pass by but she will never be forgotten. We thank you mom for the gift of yourself and for staying with us as long as you could. You will be placed on a permanent pedestal of memories. I will hold those thoughts so close to my heart and I'll frame each of them in my mind forever. You have been lifted with God now and will no longer endure any more pain. You can rest and be happy with dad, your parents and everyone else in Heaven who loves you so dearly. You were an Angel on Earth and now a Guardian Angel in Heaven. The best of both worlds have been honored with your presence. In God's loving care you are free to no longer suffer, no longer struggle, to no longer be in so much unbearable pain, and finally free to be that healthy and independent person you were so many years ago. You deserve to see happiness again. I will never let go of my memories with you, and I'll hold on to each reason I loved you.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Deborrah Ann Stenberg; two grandchildren, Chase and Brittney Plum; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Linda Pospisil, nephews, Alex, Warren and Nicholas Pospisil all of Bridger; Jerry Robert Pospisil of Great Falls; cousins, Donna Eagan and Mary Ann Majerus both of Billings; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Claudia Stenberg; nieces, Tonya Morris and Kayenne Barrett, nephews Layne, Levi and Lance Stenberg, all of Billings; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Darlene Stenberg and their children Robert and Mike Stenberg of Texas; Goddaughter Christina Edge of Billings.

Ann is also survived by many friends: Dean, Dona and Brandi Cornelison, Billie Wray, Evelyn Swisher, Craig and Doris Braaten, David and Anita Burt, Alan and Betty Andersen, Jerry and Marilyn Frietag, Paula and Tom Larsen and family, Sharon and Dan O'Donnell, Greg Stading and family, all of Billings, Carol and Les Wilkerson of Wichita, Kan. She is survived by all of her dear friends from Saint Bernard's Catholic Church and all the ladies from St. Joan's Circle.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Frank Stenberg and her parents, Jerry and Ann Pospisil.

Vigil Services will be 7 p.m. Monday, April 25, at Dahl Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Committal will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared with the family at http://www.dahlfuneralchapel.com/">www.dahlfuneralchapel.com