Edna Steensland

Edna Jenetta (Hemmah) Steensland was born April 30, 1912 to Adolf and Josephine (Pederson) Hemmah of Hillhead, SD and was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church in Veblen, SD. She attended grade school in Hillhead and was confirmed in Fron Lutheran Church. Graduating from Roslyn, SD high school, class of 1931, Edna was the last surviving member of her class. Edna then attended the Business College in Mitchell, SD. She was employed at the Linton, ND Hospital and there met the love of her life, Evart, at a St. Patrick's Day dance. They married Dec. 9, 1936 at Herreid, SD. The Steenslands resided in Linton, ND until 1943. While in Linton, they were blessed by the births of three children, Jenean, Charles, and Dennis. Assisting Evart in the pursuit of a better living, they began their career with Noble Drilling Company and were transferred to Craig, CO. While in Craig and Steamboat Springs, CO, two more children, Larry and Janice, were added to the family. Jenean finally got her wish for a little sister. The Steensland family then moved to Wyoming, living in Edgerton, Buffalo, and Casper. Due to an oilfield accident, Evart began work in the Noble Drilling Shop until 1958 when they transferred to Williston, ND. Completing their career with Noble Drilling in 1968, the Steenslands moved to Grand Forks, ND. In 1979, they retired to Rapid City, SD.
While in Rapid City, Edna was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church, Keenagers, Canyon Lake Senior Citizens, New Neighbors, and was a charter member of the Good Sam Rapid Roamers Club where she and Evart enjoyed several years of roaming about camping, fishing, and visiting relatives in their motor home. She was a member of welfare circles and did volunteer work at the Lutheran Churches in Casper, Williston, Grand Forks, and Rapid City.
Edna's interests included her kids and grandkids sports as well as playing Bridge, Whist, and Bunco, where she was a consistent winner at all three. Camping and fishing were also favorite hobbies, and she invariably caught more or bigger fish than Evart.
Her legacy is the love of her family, where no task was too great or too small for her to do for others. Her cooking and baking skills are unequalled and only minimally duplicated by her children. Her fudge, cakes, and pies were the best on earth. Not to mention her PICTURES!!! She must have purchased the first camera in South Dakota in her youth and carried it everywhere until her death. She literally has thousands and thousands of precious moments captured for us through eternity. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Evart of 61 years, brothers Reuben "Boob" (Verona) Hemmah, Clarence "Shorty" (Muriel) Hemmah, and Selmer "Sam" (Lolly) Hemmah, sisters Agnes (Albert) Holm, and Alma "Toots" (Virgil) Olson, brothers -in –law Rudy Grandquist and Harvey Loseth.
Edna is survived by her children: Jenean (Wally) Aadland of Webster, SD, Charles (Mary) Steensland of Springfield, VA, Dennis (Janet) Steensland and Larry (Becky) Steensland of Casper, WY and Janice (Dean) Sletten of Rolla, MO, two sisters: Mildred Loseth of Grand Forks, ND and Thelma Grandquist of Minneapolis, MN, and one brother: James (Bev) Hemmah of Sturgis, SD, 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday June 11 from 4 to 8 PM with services Friday at 2:00 PM in Newcomer Funeral Home, 710 E 2nd St, Casper, with Father Kevin Koch officiating. Burial is at Highland Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD, or Phelps County Regional Hospice in Rolla, MO.