Mike Stene

Raymond John “Mike” Stene, 89, passed away Jan. 15, 2012, after a courageous battle with lymphoma. He was born Nov. 15, 1922, in Gearhart, Ore., the fifth of six children, to Magnus Jensen Stene and Beret Stene, who immigrated to the United States in 1900 from their native Hitra, Norway, on the isle of Stene. Most of his youth was spent in Ventura, Calif., where he was employed by the U.S. Forest Service and was a student at Ventura Junior College. In 1942, during World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he first met his wife, Phyllis. He moved to Camp Pendleton, Calif., and as a sergeant, Mike deployed to become a survivor of the invasion of Iwo Jima, where the Marines gloriously erected the American flag; and then on to the occupation of Japan. Shortly after his honorable discharge in January 1946, he stopped to say hello to his family in Ojai, Calif., then drove to Columbus, Ohio, to marry his wife, Phyllis, on April 26, 1946. They were life partners for more than 65 years. He was employed by the city of Hamilton, Ohio, in the engineering department, where he was encouraged by his boss to pursue an engineering degree. Three nights each week for 13 years, he traveled by bus (and walking) to the University of Cincinnati, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In 1957, he was offered a position in Bakersfield, Calif., as chief engineer and planner. This was the answer to prayers, enabling him to move his family to a warm, dry climate where his son would be better able to deal with asthma and acute allergies. Later, in 1963, he embarked on a career jointly with his wife as owner of Stene and Associates, Inc. (civil engineering) and Alpha & Omega Realty and Development Corporation (real estate offices.) In that capacity, after 31 years, the couple moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, to semi-retire, designing and supervising construction of several custom homes. Over the years, they were blessed to travel several times to all of Europe, visiting family in Norway, the Holy Lands, Egypt, all of South America, Mexico, Hong Kong, and every year to Hawaii for 27 years. His chief hobby and diversion was flying his plane, including once cross country from California to Ohio with his family. He had an incredible sense of humor, yet a calm and gracious manner surrounded him; many who knew him referred to him as such a gentle man. Mike’s mission in life was to acknowledge and embrace God and Lord Jesus Christ, his beloved family and country. Mike is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his son, Gregory (Amy) Stene, and their daughters, Lauren, Megan and Sarah, of McKinney, Texas; their daughter, Michelle Rae (John) Wright, and their daughter, Sabra, of Sandpoint; a sister, Hazel Lanquist, 94, of Ojai; and several nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Veterans Memorial Center in Medical Lake, Wash. Celebration of his life will occur at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel in Clark Fork, Idaho, with Pastor Scott Douglas officiating. Dessert and coffee will be served following services. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to your church, favorite charities and food bank. In Heaven with Jesus, he lives in our hearts.