Charles W. Tjenstrom, 95, formerly of Washburn, ND died January 9, 2017 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck, ND. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday January 14, 2017 at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck with Rev. Darrel Aleson officiating. Interment will be held in the spring at Riverview Cemetery, Washburn. Visitation will be 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday at Goetz Funeral Home, Washburn and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Charles was born August 13, 1921, the son of Arthur and Rose (Thorstenson) Tjenstrom. He was raised on a farm east of Washburn. He attended country grade school and graduated from Washburn High School in 1939. During high school days he stayed with the RR Scholl family on the east edge of Washburn, and milked cows for his room and board. He married Wanda Lou Scholl on January 28, 1946 in Glendive, MT. Charlie loved farming, and was a good steward of the land. He grew small grains, mostly wheat, and sometimes found time to do a little fishing when the farming schedule allowed.

He enjoyed walking through the hills that look out over the Missouri River, very close to where Lewis and Clark camped. His eagle eye could spot little treasures to add to his collection or he might have picked juneberries or chokecherries for Wanda to make into pie or jelly.

Charles and Wanda moved to Bismarck in December 1995. He entered Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in January 2014.

Charles is survived by his daughters; Carla (Walt) Elliott of Phoenix, AZ, Pat (Jerry) Elliott of Phoenix, AZ and Charlene (Jeffrey) Peel of Mt. Zion, IL; 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 2014, his parents, brother James Tjenstrom and sister Adele Kesselring.

Memorials are preferred to the ND Lewis & Clark Foundation, McCabe United Methodist Church, or Washburn United Methodist Church Endowment Fund.