Tonhild Schanstra peacefully passed away at home to be in the arms of her Heavenly Father. She was 81.
She was born in Kvinlog, Norway. She traveled by ship in 1957 to this country, where she met her beloved husband, Donald Schanstra, in Brooklyn, N.Y. They were married and lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, before moving to Ogdensburg, N.J., where they resided for the past 54 years.
She was a devoted and loving wife of 58 years to Donald Schanstra; a nurturing, loving and supportive mother of her four children, Dennis and his wife, April Schanstra, of Lake Tamarack, N.J., John and his wife, Debbie Schanstra, of Wantage, N.J., Betty Scymanski and her husband, Gary, of Wantage, N.J., and Lisa Hughes and her husband, Ray, of Marysville, Ohio. She also leaves behind her dearly loved grandchildren, Christopher, Johnny, Jennifer, Tim, Ryan, Kevin, Mikayla, Phillip, Dana, and Drew. She enjoyed being a part of their lives, watching them grow while being their biggest cheerleader. She spoiled them with her famous waffle kake and meatballs. She was always there for them with a big smile and a hug while playing her Norwegian music.
She attended Sparta Evangelical Free Church. She had a strong spirit and walk of faith. Many people were drawn to her optimistic outlook and unconditional love. She enjoyed laughing and spending time with others. She had great compassion and a strong desire to minister to friends and family. She was a friend to all.
She was predeceased by her parents, Jakob and Tomine Kvinlaug, along with sister Klara Stensland, all of Norway. She is survived by her siblings Anna Gilge, Tonny Engedal, and Tonnes Kvinlaug, all of Norway.
A Celebration of Life Memorial program will be held at the Sparta Evangelical Free Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Hospital by calling 1-800-822-6344 or thru this link: giftfunds.stjude.org/TonhildSchanstra. Donations can also be made to the Sparta Evangelical Free Church, Route 15 North, Sparta, NJ 07871.
Arrangements are under the direction of F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, Franklin, N.J.