Barbara A. Stensrud, age 91 of Wells, MN died Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Parkview Care Center in Wells. A visitation will be Wednesday, May 27th from 4:00-7:00pm at Nasinec Funeral Home and will resume one hour prior (10am-11am) to the service on Thursday. A funeral service will be at 11:00am on Thursday, May 28th at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Pastor Deborah Lyanga will be officiating, and burial will follow the service at Rosehill Cemetery.
Barbara Ann was born February 8, 1935 to Fred and Doris (Schoenrock) Miller in Albert Lea. She grew up on the family farms near Albert Lea and Freeborn. She was confirmed in 1949, and she graduated from Freeborn High School in 1953. After graduation, she worked at a bank until her marriage to Kenneth H. Stensrud on September 11, 1955. To this union three children were born; Valerie, Greg and Rick. The couple moved their family to Wells in 1966 where Barb was an active member of the community.
During her life, Barb was a Cub Scout Leader, a Camp Fire Girls Leader, a volunteer at the Depot Museum and an Office/Library Aide at the Wells Public School. She also helped establish the Wells Public Library where she worked for 23 years. Barb was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she sewed quilts. She enjoyed knitting mittens to donate to charities and embroider dish towels to give to her loved ones. She was famous for her Aunt Sally Cookies. Barb and Ken loved to travel the globe stopping in Europe, Tanzania, Australia and New Zealand; she also was able to visit 49 of the 50 states.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents; parents-in-law Henry and Emma Stensrud; brothers: Berdell Miller and David Miller; sisters-in-law Marian (Melford) Westeng and Phyllis (Jack) Stieler.
Barbara is survived by her children: Valerie (Gary) Besser of New Ulm, Greg Stensrud of Madison, WI, Rick (Holly) Stensrud of Bloomington, MN; 7 grandchildren: Matthew Besser, Steven (RaeAnne) Besser, Daniel (Adrienne) Besser, John (Brittney) Besser, Heidi Stensrud, Adam (Jill) Stensrud and Brandon (Michelle) Stensrud; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters- in- law: Vernell Miller and Carol Miller; along with many nieces and nephews and their families.
My deepest sympathy in your loss. I remember Barb kindly and her connection with the Library for so many years. Thoughts, prayers, hugs and warm memories.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers for comfort. I’m so glad I could give her a small amount of comfort. Wish I could’ve done more. Blessings to you all!!
Rest in peace, Barb. Deep sympathy to the family.
Barb was such a Community minded individual. I have many wonderful memories of her in the library and around town.
Greg, Rick and Val,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I remember her as a part of our community and school when we were kids. She was a helper.
Sending love and caring thoughts.
Kim Johanson Zimmer
To the Stensrud Kids and their families You all have my deepest and caring thoughts in the loss of your Mom. We all have the special memories of the many Delmonte years. Love and comfort to you all …..
So very sorry for your loss. So enjoyed visiting with Barb from time to time. She always welcomed you with a hug and good honest conversation. She will be missed dearly and hold a special place in many hearts.
My heart goes out to you. Your mom was a truly lovely lady. I have such fond memories of chatting with her while she worked at the library. She had a way of making everyone feel seen. I’m grateful I got to know her. Holding you close in my thoughts and prayers right now. ❤ Deborah Hendrickson
Sympathies to the families on the loss of your Mother, – I too remember her from working in the high school library.
So sorry for your loss. It’s always hard to lose your Mom.
My sympathy to you on the loss of your mother, it is so hard to lose someone you love.
Words cannot describe how meaningful it has been for my wife and I. to have known and loved Barb, Ken and all of the family. We will miss you Barb, but the memories we have will continue to fill our hearts and lives with your love.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with grateful hearts, giving thanks for the precious gift of Barb’s life, for every moment, every memory, and every blessing she brought to all who knew and loved her. We trust in You, Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, knowing that You hold all things in Your sovereign and merciful hands. Your Word reminds us that You are close to the brokenhearted, and we rest in that promise today.
Lord, we lift up Valerie and Gary in this tender time of grief. Surround them with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and let them feel Your loving arms wrapped tightly around them as they walk through this valley of sorrow. May they find strength in one another and comfort in the cherished memories they carry in their hearts.
We also pray for Greg, Rick, and Holly, pour out Your grace upon each of them. In the moments when words fail and tears flow freely, may Your presence be unmistakably near. Remind them that to be absent from the body is to be present with You, and that hope in You is never lost.
Father, extend Your tender mercy to the entire extended family as well to every cousin, friend, and loved one touched by Barb’s life. Let them lean not on their own understanding, but in all their ways acknowledge You, trusting that You will make their paths straight.
We thank You, Lord, that Barb is forever in Your care and with Ken once again. We thank You that You are a God of resurrection and life, and that death does not have the final word. Carry this entire family and extended family gently through their grief, and renew their hope with each new morning.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we surrender their grief into your arms.
Amen
Val, Rick and Greg,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Barb was like a second mom to me. She was such a great friend to our mom. They loved going for rides on Sunday afternoons and really enjoyed being together.
As Joan was dying she was so concerned about Barb. Asking frequently how she was doing. Now they can spend eternity hanging out, pain free. Thanks be to God!
Unfortunately I won’t be able to come to the service. Know that I am with you in spirit and will keep you close in my prayers. God’s blessings to you as you walk through these difficult times.
My sympathies to Barbs family. She was so insightful when I had questions while visiting the library
My deepest sympathy to the family. Barb was a friendly, delightful lady. She will be missed by more than just family. She’ll be missed by her church family and the community. May God comfort you during your time of grief.
It was my pleasure to know Barb as the Library Lady and also as a member of our quilting group. She was an expert seamstress and the hems she stitched were perfect. I will miss her but will also cherish the memories. Sincere Sympathy to Val,Greg and Rick.and their families.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s always tough to lose mom regardless of how prepared we think we are. Take comfort in the memories and each other.
Paula🩷
My sincere sympathy to the Stensrud family. Like others, I too am grateful for all that Barb has done for the Wells Community and the Wells Library! Barb will be greatly missed!
Hugs and prayers to Barb’s family. She was not just a co-worker at the library but a great friend.
To Barb’s family sorry for the loss of your mother.
I have many memories of spending time with Barb and Ken and our deepest sympathy goes out to the family. Rest in peace.
Val- I treasure having coffee with you and your mom at her house discussing quilting and Wells. She was so proud of you! A lovely lady, kind and welcoming. God bless her and her family!
Our sympathies to all of Barbs families.
I spent many days growing up at the house across from the golf course with the wonderful Stensrud family. Barb and Ken treated me like I was one of the family. I will forever have memories of meals served, deserts from Barb, jokes from Ken and sleepovers with Greg. Barb’s enthusiasm for life such a wonderful gift. She will be missed. Val,Greg,Rick my prayers are with you and your family.