Stanley Sonsteng

Stanley Duane Sonsteng was born July 22, 1940, the 14th of 15 children born to homesteaders Arnold Odin Sonsteng and Laura Saubak Sonsteng. He was raised on the homestead north of Frazer, Mont., in the Lustre Community. He had many stories of growing up on the farm where he assisted with farm chores. Being primarily grain farmers, they also had cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and a large garden to help provide for the large family.

His early education was in a one-room school, the Center Bell School, a mile-and-a-half north of the farm. When it came time for high school, he would stay in Glasgow with older siblings as it was quite a distance from his Lustrearea home to Glasgow. Those included brother Kenneth Sonsteng and sister Mildred Sonsteng Knight and their families. The family built a home at Glasgow on Skylark Road where Stan was able to spend his last two years of high school, graduating in 1958 as a Glasgow Scottie.

At the age of 16, Stan began his career at the Glasgow Courier as a ‘printer’s devil’ and worked there until he retired at the age of 74. Yes, 57+ years! He saw a lot of changes and made a lot of friends. He was honored when the auction bills that he painstakingly built for auctioneers in the area received two national awards in competition!

When it came to friends, Stan didn’t know any strangers. He made friends wherever he went, whether it was on a train to visit his children in Illinois or in a chair getting chemo in Billings. He took advantage of any opportunity to make a friend and share the love of Jesus and how he found a better way through sobriety. One gentleman he met on the train on one trip had Stan on his Christmas card list for many years.

Stan loved music. He played the steel string guitar his whole life. He found his favorite guitar discarded at the dump and taught himself to play. He tuned guitar by ear. His children, grandchildren and many others loved to listen to him as he played and sang, pickin’ and strummin’ his guitar. Stan was always a cowboy at heart, loving the “big sky country” of Montana — “God’s Country” as he often called it.

Stan was a recovering alcoholic. He went into treatment for alcoholism on Feb. 3, 1978. He lived the program for the rest of his life. He was an active AA member who sponsored and counseled other alcoholics and was respected for his efforts. From sobriety came a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and he could often be heard witnessing to others in hope of their salvation.

Stan was married to Mary V. Galston from 1961 until 1972 and together they had a daughter Deana and son Mitchell. He was married to Teresa Korsmoe from 1981 until 1989. Stan and Terry had son Matthew and daughter Jessica.

Stan was very proud of his children and grandchildren. Any conversation with him that led to the subject would make this apparent, and he was very good about making sure to tell them he loved them. He was an avid handholder and hugger.