Bruce Jalmer “Gus” Stenfors

Born May 17, 1947, in Iron Mountain, a son of Jalmer and Mamie (Lindell) Stenfors, Gus was raised in Kingsford until the age of five when the family moved to Negaunee. Following graduation from Negaunee High School in 1965, Gus joined the US Navy in 1966, serving as a Seabee. His service career, of which he was very proud, included duty in Vietnam as a bridge builder. While stationed in California in 1968, Gus met Carolyn June Andrews. The couple married April 19, 1969. Following his honorable discharge, the couple made their first home in Oxnard, California and began raising a family. There, Gus was employed with the State of California Highway Department. The family relocated to Negaunee in 1980 where Gus was employed for a time with UPPCO and later with Feltner Plumbing and Heating as a plumber until retiring due to work related health issues in 1994. While at Feltners, Gus introduced his son, William, to the plumbing profession.

Gus and Carolyn moved to Waverly, Tennessee in 1999, returning to Ishpeming in 2019. Gus loved his family and wo“https://ogden_images.s3.amazonaws.com/www.miningjournal.net/images/2020/06/05200959/6-6-OBIT-Stenfors-Bruce-Jalmer-Gus-332×500.jpg” alt=”” width=”332″ height=”500″ class=”alignnone size-medium wp-image-852690″ />uld do anything for them. He hosted and enjoyed family gatherings, where he made sure he was the center of attention. This served him well, as he could pick on whomever he chose, start water battles, and his “epic shaving cream battle” will be forever remembered by his grandchildren. As he planned, everyone was a target, victim, and perpetrator, all fun that he passed on to his grandkids who inherited his gift of “bugging” others. Gus enjoyed gardening, yard work, going to camp, and cutting wood, not only for himself but assisting anyone else who needed a hand. He was a skilled cook who often used the produce from his garden at gatherings of family and friends, another skill he passed on to his children and grandchildren. Gus had a wood shop at home and enjoyed woodworking, often gifting his creations to family and friends. Kindhearted, but with a feisty side, Gus was a man who enjoyed life, loved God, his family, his church, and made many friends along life’s way. With a gift of gab, he often initiated conversations with those he met, especially anyone wearing military insignia who was serving, or had served, their country. Proud of his military service, he held special regard for veterans. Gus and Carolyn are members of the First United Pentecostal Church in Waverly, Tennessee.

Gus is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Carolyn; son, William (Amanda) Stenfors of Negaunee, and their children, Alaina, Luke, and Caitlin Stenfors; daughter, Sandra (Cary) Lincoln of Negaunee and their children, Nicholas Sharon, and Nicole (KC) Lincoln; daughter, Sherry (Craig) Katajamaki of Ishpeming and their daughter, Tiffany (Antonio) Gravedoni; son-in-law, Wallace Wilder of Negaunee and his children, Frederick, Carrie, and Michael (Merrie) Wilder; three great-grandchildren, Axell Gravedoni, Emily Wilder, and Grayson Paquette; his brothers, Robert (Cheryl) Stenfors of Escanaba and Ron (Vonnie) Stenfors of Skandia; a brother-in-law, Pastor Alfred (Joanne) Bishop of Waverly, TN; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jalmer and Mamie, Bruce was preceded in death by a grandson, Steven Stenfors; a daughter, Pamela Wilder; a brother-in-law, Perry Andrews.

Graveside services will be held at the Negaunee Cemetery on Wednesday, June 17, at 12:00 noon with Bishop E.R. Crider officiating.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhans en.com