Gerald E. Stephan

Altura, Gerald E. Stephan, 80, of rural Altura died Sunday, May 6th on the family farm.Gerald was born August 4, 1931 in Rollingstone Township to Vern E. and Inez (Kobler) Stephan. He and Dolores Russett were married August 4, 1958 in Calmar, Iowa. Following their marriage the couple made their home at Altura on the family farm where he lived all but two years of his life. In addition to farming Gerald had worked for DHIA. He also owned and drove a school bus for Altura School District #23. In the early 1960's Altura consolidated with Lewiston. He sold his bus and then drove for the Lewiston-Altura district until retiring in 2009. He also occasionally drove pea truck and drove for Schumacher Transport. Gerald enjoyed his time with family, as well as bowling and being involved with his church, Our Savior's Moravian of Altura, where he served as Secretary, a member of the Board of Directors, and on the church building committee. In his early years on the farm field work was done with work horses which Gerald helped care for. That love of horses would stay with Gerald for the rest of his life. He loved attending local horse-hitch pulls, also enjoyed singing with the Winona Barber shoppers. Survivors include his wife Dolores "Laurie", five children; Miriam (Terry) Sanguins of Whitewater, MT, Melanie (Scott) Fischer of Lewiston, Rev. Merlin (Reneé) Stephan of Rushford, Mark (Lisa) Stephan of Altura, and Mitchell (Sara) Stephan of Altura, 11 grandchildren, two brothers; Rev. Earl (Darlene) Stephan and Melvin (Marjorie) Stephan of Rochester, and a sister, Betty Lou (David) Lovlien of Altura. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Services will be 3PM Sunday at Our Savior's Moravian Church in Altura with the Reverend David Sobek officiating. Burial will follow in Hebron Moravian Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 1PM until time of services. Please share a memory of Gerald at his on-line guestbook and view his Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Service of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/304439