Robert Jenstead

Robert “Bob” Leo Jenstead, 95, passed away peacefully with family at his side on October 25, 2024. He was born to parents Gunder Jenstead and Christine Ness on December 29, 1928, near Larimore, North Dakota.

Shortly after graduating from Larimore High School, Bob joined the military and served with the United States Constabulary force in West Germany. After his honorable discharge from the army as a World War II Veteran, he returned to North Dakota.  Bob worked at the Grand Forks Air Force Base helping build the runway where the B-52s would soon land.

Through his passion for playing basketball, Bob met his future brother-in-law, Don Shide, who introduced him to the love of his life, Joan Shide.  Soon thereafter he began his studies at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and married his forever life partner, Joan. While pursuing his education in Industrial Engineering, their daughter, Kristine, was born. After graduation, Bob, Joan (and Kris) moved to Seattle to pursue jobs at The Boeing Company. The next stop was St. Paul where Susan and Mary were born. The family eventually settled in the Milwaukee area, spending the last few decades in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  Bob’s final stop in his professional career was as a United States Treasury Agent.  In that role he occasionally required bodyguards.  Throughout his retired years he loved to tell the story of his two favorite “gunslingers.”  They were two intelligent and highly capable young women whom he deeply respected.

Bob is survived by his daughters Kristine Jenstead, Susan Kreh, and Mary (Michael) Lindstrom. He is also survived by grandchildren Anna and Charles Jenstead (Karli Wagner Jenstead) and their dad Mark Turner, Kirsten Kreh and Katelyn Kreh Johnson (Christopher Johnson), Jacob and Jeremy Lindstrom, and his first great-grandchild, Teagan Johnson. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Shide Jenstead, his only sibling, Gordon Jenstead, and his son-in-law, Larry Kreh.

Bob was also step-grandpa to Susan’s beloved stepchildren with Glen Quarrie: Kristina Gaugler (Ryan Spak), Samantha Gaugler (Nicholas Nguyen), Chelsea Quarrie (Tyler DeFazio) and John Joseph Quarrie.  He was delighted to be step-great-grandpa to Ariel, Nicholas Jr. and John Nguyen, Bertrand Spak and Penny DeFazio.

Bob loved being Dad, especially a “girl dad.” He was a very kind and generous soul. Family summer vacations were always a trek back to Larimore, North Dakota, to his in-laws’ farm to spend time with the many family and friends who still lived in the Larimore area. At home, Bob kept busy coaching youth basketball for Susan and Mary, watering all of Joan’s garden beds, and generally taking care of all of the outdoor duties. When his daughters came home from college, he made sure that their cars were in good running condition and had a full tank of gas. In winter, he would get up early to brush the snow off and warm up everybody’s cars. Bob was a serious history buff, well-read and informed on world affairs.  He  enjoyed watching sports and playing golf and he had a special passion for the many family pets as well as the outdoor wildlife. He always kept the bird feeders full and enjoyed admiring all of the pretty species that fed from them.

In his last few years, Bob was enthusiastic to host Happy Hour with all comers. He continued to pursue his love for solving the New York Times crossword puzzle on a daily basis, something he had done for his entire adult life.  Cheers to Bob! He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Robert and Joan were laid to rest together at the Bellevue Cemetery memorial garden in Larimore, North Dakota, on July 1st, 2025.