Lenore Stephens

Lenore Almira (Vikesland) Stephens was born on February 20, 1935, on the family farm in Stony Brook Township to Eilert and Alma (Torgrimson) Vikesland.  She grew up in Grant County and was baptized and confirmed at Rock Prairie Lutheran Church.  Lenore attended school in District #29 through the 8th grade and graduated from Elbow Lake (MN) High School in 1953.   

After graduation, she worked in Fergus Falls and Alexandria, MN, as well as in Aberdeen, SD, for a short time.  In 1957, she moved to Moorhead MN, to work for WW Wallwork.  She met her life partner, Floyd P Stephens, while working there.  They were married, July 26, 1958.  After marriage, she worked at First National Bank in Moorhead until her sons were born.  

Lenore and Floyd built their home on Floyd's family farm south of Moorhead.  They raised crops and Registered Red Angus Cattle which, with the help of her son's, she owned until she was 75 years old.  She was active in helping with various farm tasks and field work.  She would stack haybales, drive tractor, truck and once in a while the combine.  In 1970, Floyd & Lenore started Stephens Auto of Moorhead.  Lenore "did the books" for the business for 45 years.  This role allowed her to stay at home and raise their three children.  She was always present for her children.    

Floyd passed away on March 9, 1999.  As a widow, Lenore focused on helping her three children.  She continued to "do the books" for her sons as they ran Stephens' Auto.  She was also their special farming assistant.  She provided fun and educational daycare for her grandchildren.  She was Kole and Jordan's "out to the farm" Grandma.  They were blessed to have the best of both worlds - in town life and country life. 

Special trips she took included going to Aurland Norway in 1988 to the Vikesland Farm to meet Norwegian relatives. She also traveled to San Luis Obispo, CA, Cancun, Mexico in 2006, and Washington DC in 2019. 

Lenore was a member of the VFW and DAV Ladies Auxiliary.  

Lenore was a strong, selfless, resilient woman.  She overcame many medical issues with grace and a little sense of humor.  She juggled it all, medical issues, "doing the books", helping with farming and providing daycare. 

Lenore died Thursday, November 9, 2023, in Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, at eighty-eight years of age.

She is survived by her sons, Keith and Kevin, both Moorhead; her daughter, Kimberly (Jeff) Nichols, Moorhead; two grandchildren, Kole and Jordan; sister-in-law, Angie Vikesland; brother-in-law, Jack Abraham; and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Floyd; three brothers, Dorvin, Gordon, and Roger; and two sisters, Shirley and Erna.  

Visitation for Lenore will be Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 5 – 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service.  Her funeral will be Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 1 PM, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead.  Burial will take place Friday, November 17, 2023, at 1:30 PM, in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.