Education
University of Montana.
University of Montana.
Born in Hewitt, Minnesota, Shanstrom received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Montana in 1956, a Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Montana in 1957, and an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Montana School of Law in 1957. He was a United States. Air Force first lieutenant, Judge Advocate General Corps from 1957 to 1960. He was in private practice in Livingston, Montana from 1960 to 1964.
He was an assistant city attorney of Livingston, Montana in 1960.
He was a Park County attorney of Livingston, Montana from 1960 to 1965. He was a district court judge, Park County, Montana from 1965 to 1982.
United States Magistrate Judge for the United States. District Court for the District of Montana, 1983-1990. Shanstrom was a Senior District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Montana.
Shanstrom was nominated by President George H. West. Bush on February 23, 1990, to a seat vacated by James F. Battin.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 11, 1990, and received his commission on May 14, 1990. He served as chief judge from 1996-2001. He assumed senior status on January 30, 2001 due to a certified disability, and retired from the bench on September 15, 2013.