The longest serving attorney general in North Dakota history, Wayne Stenehjem died Friday at age 68, just a month after announcing his plans to retire at the end of this year.
Stenehjem was laid to rest during services held Thursday, Feb. 3 at the Bismarck Civic Center. Below are photos from the event:
1/5: North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem was remembered during his funeral Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Bismarck Civic Center.
2/5: North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's casket is seen Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, during his funeral at the Bismarck Civic Center.
3/5: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum listens during the funeral for Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at the Bismarck Civic Center.
4/5: North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem was remembered during his funeral Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Bismarck Civic Center.
5/5: Andrew Stenehjem, son of North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, wipes away a tear during his father's funeral Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at the Bismarck Civic Center.
Stenehjem was found unresponsive at his Bismarck home Friday morning
and taken to the hospital, where he died that evening.
At an event announcing his plans to retire in December, Stenehjem said he was looking forward to spending more time traveling and spending time around Bismarck with his recently retired wife.
Stenehjem spent more than four decades in North Dakota government. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976, where he served four years before crossing over the Senate, where he spent two decades.
He was elected attorney general in 2000 and went on to win five subsequent elections as the state's top law enforcement official.
A public visitation for Stenehjem was held Wednesday at the state Capitol. Below are photos from that event:
1/11: Beth and Andrew Stenehjem pause to reflect during the public viewing service of Wayne Stenehjem inside the State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
2/11: The funeral motorcade for North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem arrives at the State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
3/11: The casket of North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is carried to Memorial Hall in the State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
4/11: Andrew Stenehjem, left, embraces Beth Stenehjem, right, as the attorney general's casket is carried up the stairs of the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
5/11: Wayne Stenehjem's casket arrives at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
6/11: Andrew Stenehjem (son of Wayne), left, walks with Beth Stenehjem (wife of Wayne), right, during the public viewing of Wayne Stenjhem in the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
7/11: Beth Stenehjem, left, embraces Andrew Stenehjem, right, as the casket of Wayne Stenehjem is wheeled to the entrance of the attorney general's office inside the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
8/11: Beth and Andrew Stenehjem pause to reflect during the public viewing service of Wayne Stenehjem inside the State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
9/11: Wayne Stenehjem's casket floral spray contained items of personal significance to the late attorney general including the seal of the North Dakota Attorney General as well as a neck-tie of the Norwegian flag. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
10/11: The casket of Wayne Stenehjem is displayed for public viewing near the entrance of the attorney general's office inside the State Capitol in Bismarck. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
11/11: A thin blue line is displayed above the number five on the state Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. Five was Wayne Stenehjem's license plate number because the attorney general is fifth in the line of North Dakota officials to replace the governor, if needed.
