Margaret Stensvad

Margaret Lillian Stensvad of Philomath, Oregon, passed away of natural causes on February 4, 2012 in her home. She was 76 years old. Margaret was born to Eugene V. and Anna Legbandt Fountain, April 13, 1935, in Boise, Idaho. She was named for two very special ladies in her mother’s life. She grew up on a farm near Boise and attended schools in Boise and Meridian, and graduated from Kuna High School in 1953. Her family attended the Five Mile Community Church where she trusted Christ as her Savior at age 10. She was baptized at age 13. Throughout her teen years she regularly attended the Boise Youth for Christ, and in the summer she attended youth camp at Quaker Hill, McCall, Idaho, sponsored by American Missionary Fellowship. Following high school, she attended Cascade College, Portland, Oregon, for nearly two years. It was there she met her husband, Allan Stensvad. They were married in August 21, 1954, and resided in Portland where they continued their studies at Cascade College. Following Allan’s graduation from college in 1956, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where Allan attended Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating in 1960. In 1962 they went to Brazil as missionaries with Cross World (UFM) where they served for nine years. After their return from Brazil, Margaret served with her husband in Conservative Baptist churches in Walla Walla, Auburn, and Dayton, Washington; and in Eugene and Philomath, Oregon. Margaret and her husband have five daughters. Sondra and Joy were born during their seminary years in Dallas, TX; Jill and Janiece were born during their first term in Brazil; and Sharla was born while on furlough in Walla Walla, WA. Margaret was dedicated to mothering her girls well and chose carefully which commitments she took on outside of family life. When she was able, she taught music classes and directed the choir while in Brazil. She also taught piano lessons in her home from time to time over the course of 45 years. She loved music and played the piano for enjoyment as well as for ministry. Margaret’s greatest desire in life was first to walk closely with God through her relationship with Jesus Christ and then to help her children and others to know Christ and walk in obedience to Him. Margaret is survived by her husband, Allan; her five daughters Sondra (Dale) McGuire, Ferndale, WA; Joy (Paul) Gerlach, San Jose, CA; Jill (David) Johnson, Portland, OR; Janiece Daum, San Diego, CA; and Sharla (Don) McKay, Gold Beach, OR; 16 grandchildren; her brother, Richard (Shirley) Fountain, Portland, OR; a niece, Susan Seeley; a nephew, David Fountain; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Anna Fountain, and two grandsons, Samuel and Scott McKay. A memorial service will be held at the Philomath First Baptist Church, 335 S. 26th Street, at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012. The graveside will be at the Damascus Pioneer Cemetery, 19428 SE Chitwood Road, Damascus, Oregon, at 3:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church, PO Box 1420, Philomath, OR 97370-1420.

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Margaret Stensvad

April 13, 1935 - February 4, 2012