Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272289
Title: Leni M. Jorstad
Date: 7/11/2017-8/24/2026
Inscription/Marks: 7/11/2017
Summary: Leni Marie Jorstad was born on July 11, 2017, at CHI St Alexius in Williston, ND. She heartbreakingly passed away at Sanford Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Fargo, ND, on August 24, 2026, at 9 years old. Leni was the daughter of Jamie and Nicole (Gustafson) Jorstad. Her country home is located outside of McGregor, ND. Leni’s light came into the world on July 11, 2017. She came at a time her parents were grieving a loss and infertility. Her name means “light” and she was every bit of it. Their sunshine baby. She was the sweetest baby that grew into the best big sister when her built-in best friend was born in 2020, her baby sister, Arlowe James. They had a bond that is irreplaceable. She continued her title of “world’s best big sister” when they welcomed her baby brother in 2023, her “my handsome man,” Wylee Scott. Her siblings looked to her for guidance, love and fun in every stage of their lives. Their family feels broken with the loss of her. Leni attended Tioga Central Elementary School. There, she was adored by all, so friendly, happy and full of a love for school. Her teachers and bus drivers became her daytime family as special bonds occurred so naturally for her. She never got to start her 4th grade year as she spent the final 80 days of her life in Sanford PICU, where she also celebrated her 9th birthday. Her beautiful soul loved her family and all time spent together. She wore a beaded bracelet daily that said “FAMILY,” something her mom continues to cherish.  She enjoyed golf cart rides and nature drives at home. She loved camping and the chosen camping family she got to grow up with, filling days with bike rides and beach days. She and her siblings looked forward to hotel stay vacations including swimming and waterslides. Their dad was always with them making sure their childhood was filled with fun. She loved Miss Ashley’s dance class with her bestie EvEv, the spunkiest girl dancing always from her heart.  She loved her “little orange dog,” Georgie. She wished for a hamster and slime for her 9th birthday. Her home is set up waiting for a hamster in hopes she’d be coming home to celebrate again.  She enjoyed playing outside on her playground her dad built her. Loved her babydolls, anything girlie and her favorite color, pink. She wanted to grow up, become a teacher and a singer. A heart and voice made for each dream. Leni is survived by her parents, Jamie and Nicole Jorstad; her siblings, Arlowe and Wylee Jorstad; great-grandma, Della Soiseth; granny, Debbie Jorstad; papa, Brian (Lisa Smith) Gustafson; grandmother, Denise (Rick Shuey) Gustafson; uncle, auntie and godparents, Steven and Christine Gustafson; cousins, Bode and Crosby Gustafson; uncle, Justin Jorstad; cousins, Michael, Nicholas and Rebecca Ann Jorstad; uncle, Jeremy (Robin) Jorstad; auntie Jess, Jessica Jorstad; uncle, Jordan Jorstad; and numerous other family, friends and community members. She was preceded in death by, her “Grandma Great,” Bernice Gustafson; grandfather, Marlyn Jorstad; great-grandfather, James Soiseth; honorary great-grandfather, Leon Moe; great-aunt, Jayme Jorstad; and many other family members lost before her time.
Red ID: FND_I_79782

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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