Charlene Stamness

Charlene Stamness, 68, of Northwood, ND passed away Sunday, November 29, 2020 at her home in Northwood. A private funeral service will be held Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Bilden-Askew Funeral Home in Northwood.

Charlene Stamness was born August 5, 1952 in Grand Forks, ND to Phyllis and Raleigh Gutting.  The Gutting family moved to Tolna, ND, where Charlene grew up on the farm, attended high school and graduated in 1970.  After graduation, Charlene attended Aakers business college where she graduated.  After graduation Charlene Gutting met Andrew Stamness while managing the Harvester Lounge in Northwood, ND.  Charlene and Andrew were married on November 4, 1974 and started a family in Northwood, ND, and had two children, Anthony and Matthew.  Charlene was wonderful wife and mother and loved her family greatly.

Charlene was the definition of self-less because she always prioritized everyone else first because of her great compassion to serve other people. 

Charlene was a primary caregiver to her mother, Phyllis Olson, for many years.  Charlene always enjoyed cooking with her mom and frying donuts in the garage. 

Charlene Stamness was very active in the community of Northwood.  Charlene was a pillar in the Northwood and Tolna communities because of Charlene’s sincere ability to care for everyone that she knew that needed help. 

The generosity that Charlene gave to the local communities was second-to-none and always genuine in her compassion.  Charlene was well known for her deep insight and authenticity to say and do things for people to help them out when it was needed at just the right time.  Charlene always had time to meet with the girls for conversation, laughs and to help-out where she could when they needed help or an emotional boost when things got tough for the ladies.

Charlene really enjoyed driving potato truck in the fall of the year for the Korsmo Farm because she was still a farmgirl at heart. 

Charlene was passionate about cooking and baking, especially when it came to family events where she made sure no-one left the table hungry.  Charlene was also very passionate about teaching people how to cook and making sure they were successful. 

Charlene also was very enthusiastic about working at Shea’s Nursery where Charlene was well known and respected for being honest and true about helping the customer get what they needed.

Charlene was a founding member of the American Legion Riders, District 2 – Post 92 and an American Legion Auxiliary member for 47-years.

Charlene was preceded in death by her mother Phyllis Olson, father Raleigh Gutting, and sister Donna Hermanson.  Charlene is survived by her husband Andrew Stamness; her two children Anthony Stamness – Billings, MT, and Matthew (Brianna) Stamness – Fargo, ND; grandchild Gabrielle Stamness; two brothers Dennis Gutting – Tolna, ND, and Fritz (Janet) Gutting – Benton, AR; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Charlene Stamness will be greatly missed but will live on in the hearts of everyone she touched through her life well-lived.

A private family service will be held at the Askew-Bilden Funeral Home in Northwood, ND  on December 5, 2020.   Charlene will be committed at the Tolna Cemetery following the family service.  People are welcome to attend the graveside service in Tolna at 12:00 p.m. because it is an outdoor event.

There will be celebration of life for Charlene held in the Summer of 2021 after the pandemic restrictions have been relaxed.