Margaret E. Hodnefield

Margaret E. Hodnefield, 94 of Grand Forks formerly of Churchs Ferry and Devils Lake, ND passed away Saturday evening, September 24, 2016 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Margaret Ellen Stensland was born at the General Hospital in Devils Lake on February 4, 1922 the youngest of five children of Albert and Phoebe (McBride) Stensland who lived on a farm in Dry Lake Township. She started school in Webster, then later attended schools in Minnewaukan, Grahams Island, Hamlet and Wheelock, ND. Margaret graduated from Wheelock High School with the class of 1940. She was a gifted basketball player and was named MVP of her team and for the region. The Wheelock team qualified for the State Tournament play but in those depression years, the school just could not afford to send them to the tournament. Imagine life as a young child and teenager in those times. No heat in the upstairs bedrooms, skinny feather mattresses, walking to school or going by horse and buggy, not having the luxury of indoor plumbing until an adult, eating boiled wheat or lard and sugar sandwiches, looking for work at age 14 to help her mother to provide for the family which meant hitch hiking to Black Duck, MN. At age 17, Margaret signed up with the National Youth Administration. This meant attending a camp in the Bismarck/Mandan area and learning the necessary skills to work in a defense plant. Thus in 1942, she went to Inglewood, California and got a job in the machine shop running a Milling machine at North American Aviation. After the war, Margaret moved back to North Dakota. Margaret was united in marriage to Marvin Hodnefield on February 16, 1948 at Minot, ND. They established their home in Churchs Ferry where Marvin was the elevator manager. They lived, worked and raised their 3 children through the years. They were very involved in the community and attending their children’s activities. Card parties, fishing in Canada and holiday get-togethers were wonderful times shared with family and friends. In June of 1977, Marvin retired and they moved to Devils Lake. In retirement, they enjoyed league bowling and golfing. Margaret was a champion golfer, winning an invitational tourney, the city tournament and several Senior’s tournaments. Marvin died on October 16, 1994. Margaret continued to live in Devils Lake until 2005 when she moved to Grand Forks and was in the loving care of the staff at Tufte Manor and later 4000 Valley Square. We shall keep the precious memories of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and dear friend in our hearts forever. Margaret is survived by her children and their spouses Kenneth and Wanda Hodnefield, Hammond, WI, Karen and Wayne Schilke, Rugby, ND and Roger and Susan Hodnefield of Grand Forks; step-daughter Laurel and Dellis Young of Yakima, WA; grandchildren Kirk (Susan) Hodnefield and Tara (Chester) Carnevale, Tyler (Tara) Schilke, Tanner Schilke and Britta Schilke, Ethan (Michala) Hodnefield and Lucas Hodnefield; great grandchildren Kylie, Kolby, Blake, Regan, Summer, Addison, McKenzie, Elizabeth and Andrew; dear friend Erma Raney, Grand Forks; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin; siblings Agnes Tate, Albert Stensland, Earl Stensland and Betty Smith. Funeral Services for Margaret will be on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with visitation on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Pastor Michael Rohrer will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Casket Bearers will be Margaret’s grandsons, Kirk Hodnefield, Tyler Schilke, Tanner Schilke, Ethan Hodnefield and Lucas Hodnefield. Special tribute by Tyler Schilke and reading Scriptures will be Kirk Hodnefield and Ethan Hodnefield. Music will be provided by Dennis and Jean Aardahl.