Loretta (Thumb) Stensland

Loretta Stensland of Oberon, ND peacefully passed from this earthly life on Tuesday morning, May 22, 2018 at her home in the loving care of her family.

Funeral Services for Loretta will be held on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the New Life Fellowship Church, rural Hamar, ND with Pastor Jeff Kapelle officiating. Burial will be in the Antelope Valley Lutheran Cemetery, rural Sheyenne, ND. 

Visitation will be on Saturday, May 26^th at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 6:00 p.m. 

Loretta Stensland was born March 10, 1944 in New Rockford, ND to Martin and Florence (Ironheart) Thumb. Loretta grew up and received her education on the Spirit Lake Nation. During her childhood the family lived in the Wood Lake area near the Sheyenne River.

Loretta married Paul Stensland in Lawton, OK on January 11, 1962. Upon the completion of Paul’s military service, they initially lived in Sheyenne, ND and then, later moved to Oberon, ND. They raised 5 sons and 2 daughters.

Loretta’s musical career began at a very early age, she and several of her brothers and sisters performed publicly for many years. At five years old, she and her brother, Gary, while attending boarding school, traveled and performed throughout the Midwest.   At the age of eleven she appeared on the Will Rogers Jr. show.  Her band in the late 1960’s into the early 1970’s was called Loretta V. and the Half-breeds, that band was a busy regional club circuit favorite.  She performed with country legend, Buddy Meredith, and then her musical career took a nine-year hiatus.  She simply decided to focus on raising her children.

Loretta worked as a Girl Scouts of America leader for fourteen years on the Spirit Lake Nation, and also worked for a time in Spirit Lake Recreations.

Her musical career resumed in about 1990, as she began writing and recording her own music, and other old country classics. She was signed to KARK records, and recorded a song entitled Desert Storm Ballad, a song and video that was presented by six Sioux Chiefs to President George H.W. Bush.  President Bush acknowledged her music with a letter of thanks.  Throughout her entire life, she sang and played music in churches, at weddings, at anniversaries and many funerals.

Loretta’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was forefront and center, and she was never bashful in sharing or displaying that passion. She was a spiritual anchor and always a prayer warrior.

Loretta is survived by her husband Paul of 56 years and their seven children: Monty (Sandi) Stensland, Bob Stensland, Faron (Shirley),Stensland, Paula (Jay) Deckert, Patty Stensland,  Jon Stensland, and David (Katie) Stensland.  She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Brothers and sisters: Inez (Jerry) Green, Joyce Affeldt, Wilbur (Delemma) McKay, Darrel (Grace) Thumb, Roger Thumb, Gary Thumb, Idell Thumb, Edward (Nanette) Thumb, Elvis Thumb, and Yvonne Thumb and many nieces and nephews.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Merle Thumb and Lavern McKay; and nephew, Michael Good.

Casket Bearers for Loretta will be John Haley, Jacen Deckert, Landon Stensland, Bryan Randle, Clay DuBois Jr., Pat LaRoque, Matthew Friesen and Gary Thumb Jr.