Grant Stanley Stensrud

Grant Stanley Stensrud passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025. His mother, Signey, was from Norway, and his father's (David's) parents were also from Norway. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Grant joined the Navy at 17 and served during World War II, stationed in the Philippines. He participated in two battles in Borneo, earning the rank of 1st Class Engineer, and was honorably discharged on July 22, 1945. After the war, Grant served an LDS mission in Norway, where he met his future wife, Anny Yngrith Hultberg Andersen. They married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on September 16, 1949, and enjoyed 59 years together until Anny's passing on June 9, 2008. Grant and Anny had five children, two of whom preceded him in death: Grant Henrik (Marene) Stensrud and Carol Ann Stensrud. Surviving children include Douglas (Dixie) Stensrud, Karen (Dennis) Pelton, and Stanley Ole (Kimo) Stensrud. Grant also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
Grant earned an EDS degree from the University of Utah, a Juris Doctor degree from Blackstone School of Law, and certificates in Mechanical Drafting, Short Story Writing, Photo Painting, and Journalism. He taught at various levels, from elementary to high school, and served as an assistant principal at Mineral County High School in Hawthorne, Nevada. Grant also taught upholstery part-time at Salt Lake Community College for 18 years. Grant and Anny served multiple LDS missions, and he served as a bishop for over five years at the Salt Lake City 10th Ward.
A talented musician, Grant played the violin, clarinet, saxophone, and harmonica. He was an avid reader, studying scriptures, writing family history, and composing poetry and short stories. Grant also loved to paint, working with oils, acrylics, and watercolors. Grant's charitable nature led him to donate monthly to various organizations. In 2018, he participated in the Utah Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., visiting national monuments and Arlington Cemetery. He later rode in a WW2 Jeep during the Days of '47 Parade and gave a speech at the Utah premiere of the movie remake Midway, sharing his war experiences.
Throughout his life, Grant embodied a spirit of joy and optimism, often remarking that he felt truly blessed to have lived a charmed life.
The family extends gratitude to Grant's home nurse, Daphnee Michelle Silaire, and the medical staff at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center for their kindness and care. Additionally, the family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Chuck Hand, Ivonne Zurita Quispe, Benigno Quispe, and Blanca Quispe for their kindness in transporting Grant to church, allowing him to maintain his spiritual connection.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 18, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Chevy Chase LDS church, 5235 S. Wesley Rd, Murray, UT 84117. A graveyard service will follow at Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E. 4580 S., Millcreek, UT 84117. You may watch the recording of the service online through Zoom using the "Watch Service" button above.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering (ruffhaven.org).