Dorothy Jane Stensland

Dorothy Jane (Baynham) Stensland, 91, began her new journey on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m., at the Central Christian Church, 918 E. Center, in Pocatello, Idaho, with Reverend Roger Bray officiating.

She had a radiance and inner glow that she shared with everyone she met. She made each person feel special. She was a feisty redhead with sparkling blue eyes. She loved life and lived each day as a gift from God.

Dorothy Jane, the eldest of three daughters of Walter A. and Myrtle Nelson Baynham was born on March 30, 1925, in Glasgow, Mont. She graduated from Glasgow High in 1943 and was accepted into the Cadet Nursing Program during WWII. In her first year in nursing school, she also served as Grand Worthy Advisor of Order of the Rainbow for the State of Montana. She graduated from the Consolidated School of Nursing in Great Falls in 1946 and worked as a registered nurse for many years.

Her high school sweetheart, Warren Stensland, returned from serving in the Naval Air Corps after the war and they married a year later on Sept. 21, 1947. In 1952, she and Warren had their first child, Kenneth; their second child, Barbara Jo, arrived in 1956. Dorothy was thrilled both children were redheads.

Warren's career as an agronomist required some relocations where they finally took root in Idaho Falls for over 48 years. For the past six years, she and Warren have lived in Pocatello with Barbara Jo and her husband, Michael Sampson.

She had an unwavering faith as a child in the First Christian Church in Glasgow and was actively involved in the First Congregational Church in Idaho Falls. She was a lifetime member in the Order of Eastern Star, Henrietta Chapter 21.

She was devoted to Warren, the most loving mother to her children, and maintained deep bonds with her sisters and sister-in-law. She was delighted in being a grandmother and great-grandmother and "Aunt Dodo" to her many nieces and nephews. Her friendships were lifelong. She loved her birthdays, balloons, clouds and rocks, especially heart-shaped ones.

She is preceded in death by a son, Kenneth; two brother-in-laws, Gail Stensland and Wayne Putz; and a half-brother, Walter Baynham.

Survivors include her husband, Warren; Barbara Jo and Michael; a granddaughter, Abbie Jordan and her husband, Nick; great-grandchildren, Janika and Ryler Jordan; two sisters, Shirley Putz, Myrtle Strader and her husband, Louis; a sister-in-law, Ellie Stensland; two half brothers, John and James Baynham; adopted grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Josh, Katie and Joshlin Bauer, Blake, Kristen and Charlotte Sampson, Kip and his daughter, Sophia Sampson.

Friends may send memories and online condolences to the family by visiting http://www.DownardFuneralHome.com.

Downard Funeral Home, 241 North Garfield, Pocatello, ID 83204; ph. 208-233-0686 is in charge of arrangements.