Janine L. Stene

To join Janine's family for her Prayer Service and Life Celebration, please click on the live-stream link below her obituary.

Janine L. Stene, 69, of Fargo, ND, passed away, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. 

Janine L. Stene was born February 21, 1955, to Owen and Muriel (Melhus) Rufsvold, in Lisbon, ND. She attended Fort Ransom Elementary School and graduated from Lisbon High School, as valedictorian. After high school Janine pursued a career in nursing through Jamestown (ND) University, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelors of the Arts in Nursing. 

Janine began her nursing career at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo in the fall of 1977 after working the summer in Lisbon Hospital. She worked as a nurse at St. Luke’s, which became Meritcare, and what is now Sanford for 43 years, as well as a clinical instructor for nursing students at Concordia. 

Most of Janine’s career was spent as a “heart nurse” caring for those after heart surgery or a heart attack. She was a leader within her field, passionate about her work and an excellent educator. The knowledge she shared has been passed down over time and lives on in the current generation of bedside nurses. 

Janine married the love of her life, Jerry, on September 17, 1977. They had three children together Kara, Alyssa, and Michael. Her love for her children could only be matched by her love for her grandchildren. Being a mother and grandmother was her greatest joy and each of her children and grandchildren shared a special bond with her.

Her relationship with Jesus Christ shaped and molded her life. We know that she did not fear death and we will reunite with her again. 

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; children, Kara (Arday) Ardayfio, Alyssa (Ryan) Nitschke, and Mike Stene; grandchildren, Elise (14), Emma (11), Ellie (7), Smith (5), Bair (2), and Coco (1); sister, Nina (Royce) Aardahl; brother, Philip (Colleen) Rufsvold; and many nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Owen and Muriel; and brother, Danny Rufsvold. 

We would like to thank the healthcare teams at Sanford Fargo and Abbott Northwestern for their valiant efforts in the final days of her life. What a blessing that she received the same excellent care she provided all those years. 

A Gathering of Family and Friends for Janine will be Friday, June 28, 2024, from 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM, with a Time of Sharing at 6:30 PM, in Salem Evangelical Free Church, Moorhead, MN. Her Celebration of Life will Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 1:00 PM, in Salem Evangelical Free Church. 

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)