Lorretta Stenberg

Loretta May Stenberg, 73, passed away on February 29, 2024 at home after a prolonged illness surrounded by family.
  Loretta was born in Missoula on March 15th 1950 to Cliff and Clara Evans she was the only girl with five brothers, Cliff, Tommy, Bobby, Billy and younger brother Jimmy. 
    While attending high school at Hellgate in Missoula, MT she met Andrew Stenberg Sr. and they dated all the way through school, Dad went into the Marine Corps after he graduated after attending boot camp he came home on leave and went to Hellgate high school and found Mom in the hallway and they left the school and drove to Coeur d’Alene, ID and were married, a marriage that lasted for 50 years, Mom and Dad were best friends and the love of each others lives.  I take relief knowing that they are back together.  Soon after they moved to my dad’s duty station in North Carolina. 
  Once dad was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps they moved back to Missoula, MT with my big brother Andrew Stenberg Jr. in tow.  I came along in July 1970 and 3 years later my little sister Traci was born and finished our little family.   Mom settled in and became the best Mom anyone could ask for.  She awoke every day and made sure all of us kids were up and getting ready for school, breakfast was ready and getting us out the door.  She spent her days cleaning the house, doing the laundry, grocery shopping, paying bills but when someone came down with a cold she was right there to make sure we were okay.  She told us she loved us and gave us a kiss every morning and at night before bed.  It’s funny really,  you never know how much a stay at home mother does until you are an adult and you realize she had a tough job being a wife and a mother to 3 kids.  Probably the toughest job anyone can have. She did work every winter as a cashier at Kmart, back in the day when you had to manually put everything into the register, no scanning back then. She was a hero in my eyes.   I have so many memories of my Mom and I think of her often.  I can’t say goodbye, so I will say until we meet again.  
  Loretta Stenberg leaves behind a very loving family.  Andrew Stenberg Jr (wife Jess) Kenneth Stenberg (wife Darlene) daughter Traci Spencer. Grandchildren Tyler, Kelsey, Emilee, Kendra, Kayle, Allison and Dylan all of whom she loved and enjoyed to be around.  And many great grand children.   Brothers Bob Evans (wife Margie) and Tommy Evans ( wife Lorraine).  She is preceded in death by the love of her life Andrew Stenberg Sr. on 4/25/2017. Brothers Cliff Evans (wife Cathy), Bill Evans and little brother Jimmy Evans. 
  A memorial is planned for June 22nd 2024 from 12 pm- 5 pm at Franklin park in Missoula, MT.  All friends and family are invited to attend.  Afterward mom will be laid to rest with the love of her life at the Western Montana State. Veterans Cemetery.