Lawerance “Larry” John Stepien

Obituary

Lawerance “Larry” John Stepien was born on October 11, 1922, in Porterfield, Wisconsin, the son of John and Nora (Bernet) Stepien. He was baptized on May 30, 1925, at St. Joseph’s Church in Porterfield. Larry grew up on a farm outside of Porterfield with his 12 siblings.

Larry entered military service with the U.S. Army in 1943, with most of his training in England. He landed in Normandy on June 8, 1944. He was presented with the Victory Medal for European/African service, the Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, and the Silver Battle Star, among others.  In 2002, he was presented with the French Jubilee of Liberty commemoration.

After the war, Larry planned to work in California. En route from Wisconsin, he stopped in Glencoe, Minnesota, to help his brother Wally construct a large garage. He soon met and proposed to his future wife, Donna.

On June 22, 1947, Larry was united in marriage to Donna Gieseke by Rev. E. H. Streufert at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe. Larry and Donna were blessed with four children, Steven, Kathryn, Judith, and Robert.  Donna and Larry shared over 72 years of marriage before Donna passed away on March 31, 2020.

Larry worked as a carpenter with ZumHofe Construction, before beginning his 32-year career at Green Giant, being a Field Supervisor for many of those years. During that time, he received a degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Minnesota. After retirement, he began restoring antique engines as a hobby, over 140 of them. He took up golf, enjoying it well into his later years.

He loved playing cards, fishing, and boating at the family lake cabin, as well as having morning coffee with his friends. He treasured his weekly Wednesday visits from granddaughter Brittany, who could coax stories from him about his childhood and years in the Army.

He was active at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a Deacon, Trustee, and on the Cemetery Board, as well as a member of the Men’s Club. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He served on the Glencoe Light and Power Commission, for 6 years as president, and 5 years as commissioner.

Larry passed away on August 15, 2024, at GlenFields Living with Care in Glencoe, at the age of 101 years, 10 months, and 4 days.

Larry is survived by his
Children: Steve Stepien and Michele Meis of Honokowai, Maui,
                Kathy Kruckman and her husband, Kelly, of Glencoe, MN,
                Judy Finley and her husband, Jeff, of Edina, MN,
                Bob Stepien and his wife, Clarine, of Glencoe, MN;
Grandchildren: Amber Kashmark, husband Ryan, and children Emma, Owen and Colton of Bloomington, MN,
                         Suni Stepien, Dominic DesMarais, and daughters Destiny and Daisy of Buffalo, MN,
                         Ryan Stepien and fiancée, Kelly McCoy, of Richfield, MN,
                         Tony Stepien, wife Stephanie, and sons Matthew and Joshua Barlau of Plato, MN,
                         John Stepien, wife Stacia, and sons Reed and Ty of Arlington, MN,
                         Brittany Benage, husband Jordan, and children Logan, Porter, and Emersyn of Hutchinson, MN;
Larry’s siblings: George Stepien, Helen Lund, John Stepien, and Dale Stepien;
Numerous brothers/sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife Donna; his parents; two brothers and six sisters; parents-in-law, Walter and Selma Gieseke; and brothers/sisters-in-law.