1950
Steven
2012
Steven Stephens
September 6, 1950 — September 1, 2012
Steven D. Stephens, 61, of Fergus Falls died Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls following an eleven year struggle with cancer and its aftermath.
Steven Douglas Stephens was born September 6, 1950 in Ventura, California to David and Madora (Murray) Stephens. He was raised in southern California where he loved spending time with his grandparents on The Ranch. Steve graduated from Ventura High School. He enlisted in the US Army in 1969 and served for three years as a calibration technology specialist in Vietnam. Steve was honorably discharged in 1972. After graduating from San Jose State University in 1979, he launched his career in the aerospace industry, working as a Radiation Hardness and Survivability Project Engineer with various firms including Rockwell International, TRW, and Hughes Aircraft. In the late '80s Steve was sent to Minnesota contracted out on a project with Control Data in St. Paul. Most recently, he worked as an AFLAC Associate, Regional Sales Coordinator and District Sales Coordinator.
In 1989 Steve met and fell in love with his soul mate, Wendy, and never moved from Minnesota again. He always said "I came to Minnesota for work but stayed for love". On August 26, 1989 Steve married Wendy Carole Erickson on her Grandpa and Grandma Asleson's farm near Wendell, MN. His greatest pride and joy was his family, both near and far. Steve enjoyed reading historical fiction and most recently the Harry Potter series. He and Nathanael were working their way through all 10 seasons of the Smallville series. Steve enjoyed technical stuff to the end: his smart phone, Blackberry, Bluetooth, laptop and e-reader. He was also a member of Sertoma of Fergus Falls and active in his church. Steve was a lover of the Word, always in pursuit of righteousness, not compromise. He bore his trials, waiting on the Lord. We are sad his fight didn't include more earthly victories, but he has now experienced the Ultimate Victory. In his own words, "Jesus is all that matters".
Steve is survived by his wife, Wendy; his children, Byron (Robin) Stephens of Dallas, TX, Yvonne Stephens of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Nancy Goodell of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Rachel, Nathanael and Lydia Stephens all of Fergus Falls; four grandchildren, Kellie and Maryann Goodell, Kinsey and Zachary Stephens; his mother, Madora Stephens; two sisters, Donna Peavy and Debra Estrada; one brother, Fredrick Stephens; numerous other relatives and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his father, David; brother, Richard and son, Luke.
Family prefers memorials in lieu of flowers.
Funeral Services: 1 PM, Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Hilltop Celebration Church, Fergus Falls (From I-94, take Exit 57, turn north toward Fergus Falls and travel approximately 1.4 miles to Hilltop Celebration Church on the West, near the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.)
Visitation: 4-7 PM, Wednesday with a time of sharing at 7 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Yvonne Stephens and Pastor Dan Mueller
Military Rites: Minnesota National Guard
Cemetery: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Steven Douglas Stephens was born September 6, 1950 in Ventura, California to David and Madora (Murray) Stephens. He was raised in southern California where he loved spending time with his grandparents on The Ranch. Steve graduated from Ventura High School. He enlisted in the US Army in 1969 and served for three years as a calibration technology specialist in Vietnam. Steve was honorably discharged in 1972. After graduating from San Jose State University in 1979, he launched his career in the aerospace industry, working as a Radiation Hardness and Survivability Project Engineer with various firms including Rockwell International, TRW, and Hughes Aircraft. In the late '80s Steve was sent to Minnesota contracted out on a project with Control Data in St. Paul. Most recently, he worked as an AFLAC Associate, Regional Sales Coordinator and District Sales Coordinator.
In 1989 Steve met and fell in love with his soul mate, Wendy, and never moved from Minnesota again. He always said "I came to Minnesota for work but stayed for love". On August 26, 1989 Steve married Wendy Carole Erickson on her Grandpa and Grandma Asleson's farm near Wendell, MN. His greatest pride and joy was his family, both near and far. Steve enjoyed reading historical fiction and most recently the Harry Potter series. He and Nathanael were working their way through all 10 seasons of the Smallville series. Steve enjoyed technical stuff to the end: his smart phone, Blackberry, Bluetooth, laptop and e-reader. He was also a member of Sertoma of Fergus Falls and active in his church. Steve was a lover of the Word, always in pursuit of righteousness, not compromise. He bore his trials, waiting on the Lord. We are sad his fight didn't include more earthly victories, but he has now experienced the Ultimate Victory. In his own words, "Jesus is all that matters".
Steve is survived by his wife, Wendy; his children, Byron (Robin) Stephens of Dallas, TX, Yvonne Stephens of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Nancy Goodell of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Rachel, Nathanael and Lydia Stephens all of Fergus Falls; four grandchildren, Kellie and Maryann Goodell, Kinsey and Zachary Stephens; his mother, Madora Stephens; two sisters, Donna Peavy and Debra Estrada; one brother, Fredrick Stephens; numerous other relatives and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his father, David; brother, Richard and son, Luke.
Family prefers memorials in lieu of flowers.
Funeral Services: 1 PM, Thursday, September 6, 2012 at Hilltop Celebration Church, Fergus Falls (From I-94, take Exit 57, turn north toward Fergus Falls and travel approximately 1.4 miles to Hilltop Celebration Church on the West, near the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.)
Visitation: 4-7 PM, Wednesday with a time of sharing at 7 PM at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls and one hour prior to the service at the church
Clergy: Yvonne Stephens and Pastor Dan Mueller
Military Rites: Minnesota National Guard
Cemetery: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
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