Marlys Joy Samuelson Stenberg passed from death to eternal life by natural causes on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 at her residence at Kingsley Shores in Lakeville, MN. She was 89 years old.

Marlys was born at St. Ansgars Hospital, Moorhead, MN, on December 23, 1935 joining her parents Alfred and Mildred Tehven Samuelson and brother Wayne, 9 years her senior.

Marlys met her husband, Elmer Jerald Stenberg, at a favorite haunt, the roller rink in Ada, MN. After her May graduation from Ada High School, Marlys and Elmer were married on September 19th, 1953 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. Shortly after their nuptials, Elmer joined the United States Army and served from Feb. 18, 1954 until Feb. 17, 1956 at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. Marlys gave birth to Sandra Kay on November 13, 1954 at the Ft. McClellan Army Hospital.

Elmer and Marlys moved to International Falls, MN the autumn after the birth of their second child, John David (June 21, 1961). 

As a follower of Jesus Christ, Marlys’ activities and relationships were deeply entwined with the weekly rhythms of her church wherever she lived. Whether the Evangelical Covenant Church in International Falls, MN, various churches near Apache Junction, AZ where they often wintered, or Riverside Church in Big Lake, MN when they settled into Mississippi Shores in Monticello, MN in 2011. Even her recent move to Kingsley Shores in Lakeville, MN found her worshipping regularly at Berean Baptist Church of Burnsville, MN. 

Marlys’ love of music was a life-long passion. An accomplished pianist and organist, she enjoyed sharing her gift everywhere. Marlys was renowned for her treats, breads, and her hostessing skills. A proud 100% Swede, she took her coffee black, her treats sweet, and offered her ever-open kitchen as a warm gathering place for constant drop-in visitors.

Marlys’s fun-loving nature made her a lively friend, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her loving nature extended a warm welcome to all those who married into the clan. No one was left out of her good will and tender loving care. Her genuine interest in your life, her contagious sense of humor, and the constant twinkle in her eye will be sorely missed. In some written advice to her grandchildren she expressed, “Don’t be afraid of trying new experiences-especially while you’re young…!”  

She is survived by her two children, Sandra (Brent) Birdsall and John (Colene) Stenberg; her eight grandchildren: Stephanie (Scott) Fennell, Amy (Dan) Boal, Alec (Emily) Birsdall, Ike (Majo) Birdsall, Aleah (Eli) Johnson, Michael (Kaity) Stenberg, Daniel Stenberg, and Jessica (Anthony) Sester; thirteen grandchildren: Lucy and Olivia Fennell: Everett, Aralyla, Betsy, Lael, and Cece Boal; Anders, Greger, Nils, and Erik Birdsall; Ezra and Isaiah Stenberg. She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Mildred Samuelson; husband, Elmer; and brother, Wayne (Marceline) Samuelson. 

In her honor, there will be a funeral service at Riverside Church in Big Lake, MN on Monday, June 16th at 2pm with light lunch to follow. The date of the interment service in Ada, MN has yet to be determined.

Cards may be sent to: The Stenberg Family ℅ Riverside Church 20314 Cty Rd 14 NW, Big Lake, MN 55309. 

Memorial gifts may be given online or mailed in her honor to: Minnesota Hospice Foundation (https://minnesotahospicefoundation.org/) 17645 Juniper Path, Suite 155 Lakeville, MN 55044   

The Gideons Int’l https://www.gideons.org/donate PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800