Alice B. Stahl

Alice Bertina Stenslie Stahl, age 105, of Pekin, ND, died Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at the Nelson County Health System Care Center in McVille, ND.

Alice Bertina Stenslie was born June 23, 1911 on her grandparent’s pioneer homestead beside the Sheyenne River Valley, Nesheim Township, near McVille, ND to Marie Odegaard Stenslie and Helmer Stenslie. She grew up there and graduated from Norway country school, where her pioneer mother had also attended school. She married Francis Stahl of rural Pekin, ND on July 1, 1935. They settled on a farm in Bergen Township south of Pekin where they farmed and raised their two sons, Allen and Lynn. Her beloved husband Francis passed away on May 30, 1978 after 43 years of marriage. Alice was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tolna, ND. She had served on Church Council and held offices in the Altar Society. She was also an original board member of the Nelson County Historical Society and enjoyed working at Stump Lake Village. For years Francis and she cared for St. John Cemetery, the resting place of many a pioneer and their loved ones. Francis is buried there and now she will rest beside him. Alice belonged to the first girl’s 4-H club and in 1925 she won many 4-H honors and trips; Chicago Club Congress in 1928, 4-H National Camp Washington D.C. 1929, 3rd National 4-H Encampment, 1930; was elected Secretary of North Dakota State 4-H Achievement Institute, Fargo, and served as a 4-H leader through the years. In 1958 she was one of 28 people that represented Nelson County at the first bi-annual convention at the United Nation in New York City. Alice was a member of the Pioneer Daughters of Devils Lake. In the summer she helped out at the Pioneer Daughters Museum at Fort Totten. She did a lot of cooking at the McVille hospital when there was only wood and coal stoves to cook on, and Dr. Arneson was the Pioneer doctor. She helped cook for Collins Road Building Company, threshers, Farmers Union Youth Camps, crippled children’s camps, ladies camps, and many more. Alice loved to dance and play bingo. In 1988, she made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia. She enjoyed attending Cricells, Tec’s and charismatic rallies. She often made the remark: “I just have to have my battery recharged every so often”. Alice was a wonderful storyteller and could remember so many interesting times in years past.

Alice is survived her son, Lynn (Nancy) Stahl; daughter-in-law, Gale Stahl; five grandchildren, Michael Orin Stahl, Mark Stahl, Christine Ellis, Stephanie Morris, and Michael Patrick Stahl; nine great grandchildren, Matthew Morris, Max Stahl, Rose Stahl, Jesse Stahl, Megan Stahl, Nathan Stahl, Hannah Ellis, Grace Ellis, and Matthew Ellis; and many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Stahl; son, Allen; parents, Helmer and Marie Stenslie; brothers, Harry and James; and sister, Mabel Messner.

The Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tolna, ND. Interment will be at St. John Ottofy Catholic Cemetery, rural Pekin, ND. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Memorials are suggested to St. John Ottofy Catholic Cemetery.