C.D. Stenberg

Carroll Dean (C.D.) Stenberg, born January 3, 1925, in Hubbard, Iowa to Harry Casper Stenberg and Blanche Hanson Stenberg. He was baptized March, 1925 and confirmed May, 1940 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Jewell, Iowa. He graduated from Jewell High School, May 21, 1942.

After graduating high school, C.D. worked any job he could find, from helping on farms to electric work and digging ditches along the highways in the area, painting houses and throwing papers. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as Ordnance Mate Third Class and was Stationed in the Galapagos Islands from November, 1945 until he received an Honorable Discharge June, 1946.

In February, 1951, C.D. received a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Kansas and received his Master of Science from the University of Iowa Graduate College in June, 1953. It was while attending the University of Iowa that he met his future wife, France Walker, who was a nursing student.

C. D. and France were married in LaGrange, Illinois, June 14, 1953. They moved immediately to Ft. Worth, Texas to begin his Geology career with Gulf Oil Company. He was transferred to Roswell, NM where their children, daughter, Linda and son, Kurt were born. He was transferred to Kermit, Texas and later to Midland, Texas. He retired in April, 1985 and he and France enjoyed travels across the United States, mostly to courthouses and cemeteries researching genealogy for France’s book.

While working full-time for Gulf, C.D. continued his military career and was appointed Lieutenant JG in the Naval Reserve in 1957. In 1958, he received Orders to Active Duty training, reporting to the U.S. Pacific Fleet for Mine Sweeper Duty. Now a full Lieutenant, he was called, in April, 1960, to report to the USS Crow, a destroyer escort from Galveston, TX to St. Petersburg, FL. The infamous Bay of Pigs occurred at this time and in C.D.’s words, “it could have been a very long cruise!” However, “the cruise” seemed very long to France who was home with two small children waiting for news, which did not happen as quickly as it does today. He retired from the U.S. Naval Reserve, January, 1985.

Always active in the Lutheran Churches he attended, C.D. took on a wide-range of responsibilities from trustee to board chairman, to much-loved Jr. High Sunday school teacher. He and France became members of Memorial Lutheran Church, Houston, TX in 1997.

C.D. was an exceptional man whose life of hard work, integrity, endless patience, kindness, humor, and love for God and his family was an inspiration to us all. He never tired of listening, teaching, and giving wise counsel. Even with his busy careers, C.D. still had time to help with homework and school projects, take family vacations, play tennis, and swim. He never tired of listening to Dixieland Band music. C.D. loved sports, especially the local high school football and basketball games and would attend at every opportunity. He and France were avid square dancers, traveling the country to participate in dances, workshops, and festivals.

He leaves behind his loving family who have the assurance of the resurrection and knowledge that we will see our wonderful husband, Dad, Papa, big brother, and Uncle Tex again. Wife, France Walker Stenberg; daughter, Linda Stenberg Collins, husband, Rusty; son, Kurt Jeffry Stenberg, wife, Donna; Grandchildren, Tiffany Collins Freeman, Stephen Collins (Allie), Laura Stenberg Morales (Ramon), Eric Stenberg, Elizabeth Collins Finke (Greg), Dustin Stenberg; great grandchildren, Rory Freeman, Leo Freeman, Kyra Stenberg-Eashum, Elliott Collins, Casper Finke, Ty Morales, Roger Finke, Esther Finke; sister, Mary Heller; 11 nieces and nephews.

C. D. will be interred at the Houston National Cemetery with full military honors with a special tribute by his great-grandson, Rory, who will play taps.

Pallbearers are Kurt Stenberg, Rusty Collins, Stephen Collins, Eric Stenberg, Dustin Stenberg, Rory Freeman, Leo Freeman, Steve Peck

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to

Memorial Lutheran Church or Memorial Lutheran school