Obit: Stenseth, Carl M. (1879 - 1951)

Contact: Stan
Email:  stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Stenseth, Haritos, Heldt, Loftus, Myhre

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 05/24/1951

Stenseth, Carl M. (24 DEC 1879 - 20 MAY 1951)

Carl M. Stenseth, 72, former businessman in this city for 23 years, was buried at Riverside Cemetery Wednesday afternoon. Death came to him at his home at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20, 1951 after a long lingering illness and several weeks of hospitalization. Funeral services were conducted from St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church at two o’clock. Dr. K. O. Crosby, pastor of the congregation, officiated at the final rites. Serving as pallbearers were Ben Bruchert, Roy E. Gabriel, L. W. Cattanach, Harvey Weddig, Carl M. Halverson and Paul Stasek.

The deceased was born on Dec. 24, 1879 in Oslo, Norway. He came to this country in 1901, first residing in Eau Claire. One year later he moved to Chippewa Falls where he met and married Mrs. Stenseth, who survives him. The couple moved from Chippewa Falls in 1920 to Jim Falls, where they operated a grocery store. Two years later they came to Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), opening a grocery store here.

At that time Mr. Stenseth purchased the grocery stock owned by Mrs. M. J. Charette which store was then located where Weddig’s Rexall Store now is. Jensen Brothers, then owners of the drug store, had a store in the building now occupied by Larson’s IGA Store. Jensens had purchased the building Weddig’s now occupy from Mrs. Charette and Mr. Stenseth the building from Jensen. The result was that the drug store was moved to its present quarters and the grocery stock moved to the building they had vacated. Here Mr. Stenseth was successfully engaged in the grocery business for 23 years. About 15 years ago, the building’s interior was razed by fire, after which Mr. Stenseth completely remodeled the store interior and gave the city its first modern super service grocery store.

In 1945 he and his wife retired from the business, purchasing their present home between Owen and Withee on Highway 29 where they enjoyed their time landscaping their property and working in their garden.

During the 29 years he made his home in this community, Carl never made an enemy. His quiet mild mannered temperament and understanding ways made him a friend of everyone that came to his acquaintanceship. He was an aggressive and cooperative merchant as well as being active in civic affairs. Of the Owen Businessmen’s Club and a member of both the Owen Chapter of the Masonic Lodge and the Eastern Star Lodge. Every since he came to Owen he was a member of the congregation of St. Katherine’s Church, where he served as a vestryman and as Senior Warden.

Surviving him are his widow, three daughters, Evelyn Bernice Haritos, La Cross; Marguerite Lucile Heldt, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Ruth Idello Loftus, Aberdeen, Wash.; one sister, Mrs. Atilie Myhre, Eau Claire, Wis.; two brothers, Peter M. Stenseth of Chippewa Falls and John of Rice Lake, and three grandchildren.

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