Our loving Stephen died on August 27, 2022 while in hospice care and in the loving care of his family. He was a devoted husband to Cynthia and proud dad to Ben and Emily. He was happy to welcome daughter-in-law, Hilary, and son-in-law, Jason. He was a delighted Poppy to August, Theo, Xander, Julia, and Casimir. He loved siblings John, Michael, Kristi and Erling Jr., their spouses and his nieces and nephews. He loved his wife’s family, sister Sandra, her children Hope and Anna; sister Lynda, husband Tony, sons William and Michael(Tiffany).
He was a faithful friend and colleague.
Steve was born in Decorah, Iowa, where his parents, Erling and Margaret lived, worked at and attended Luther College. He later attended Luther College. He graduated from California State Fullerton, Luther Theological Seminary graduating with a Master of Divinity, Northern State University, and the University of Wisconsin Madison with a Ph.D. in counseling psychology.
Steve served as an ELCA parish pastor in South Dakota, Wisconsin, and in Minnesota. He also served as a psychologist at the Dane County Mental Health Center, the Director of the Wellness Ministry of the ELCA in Chicago and as an interim pastor in the Minneapolis Synod of the ELCA.
His gift in life was to love God and people.
Celebration of Stephen’s faith and life will be Sunday, September 4, 2022 at 1:00p.m. at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave. S.E., Mpls. Masks required.
Please, no flowers, donations welcomed to Immigration Sanctuary ministry @ULCH.org , look for give button. Reception follows in church courtyard.
