Evelyn Stepan

Evelyn Anna (Goerdt) Stepan, age 93, of Sauk Centre, Minnesota died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 2, 2018, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Sudhansu Kumar, O.S.B.and Deacon Tom McFadden concelebrating the mass. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Visitation is from 4-8 p.m., Friday, June 1, and from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening.

Evelyn was born January 5, 1925, in Belgrade to Anton and Loretta (Weimerskirch) Goerdt. On June 20, 1944, Evelyn was united in holy marriage to Ferdinand J. Stepan, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. After their marriage, the couple farmed by Sedan, Glenwood and Fulda, before they purchased the Goerdt family farm in 1969 by Sauk Centre. They retired from farming in 1990 and moved to town in their retirement. The year before Evelyn was married she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. She worked at the Home School, volunteered with the foster-grandparent program, and Meals-On-Wheels at the dining site in Sauk Centre.

Evelyn had a zillion interests - sewing, tatting, writing poetry, gardening, painting, politics, making the "purest white" homemade soap to being a self-taught harmonica player! Cross-country trips that Evelyn navigated and had packed all the provisions from cheese sandwiches, candy bars, and even the toaster are great memories.

Evelyn was a member of Saint Paul's Catholic Church. In her past, she held the presidency of the Christian Mothers organization at three different parishes, Sedan, Fulda, and Sauk Centre. She was also a bold advocate of the unborn children and had much passion as an active Pro-Lifer.

Evelyn is survived by eight of her children, Jim (Conny) Stepan of Willmar, Barbara Stepan of Calais, ME, Catherine Dawson of Fayetteville, GA, Ferdie Stepan of Greenwood, NE, Donna (Ron) Bromenshenkel of Sauk Centre, Maurice (Cindy) Stepan of Sauk Centre, Daniel (Jane) Stepan of Sauk Centre, Maria (Dale) Rieland of Sauk Centre; daughter-in-law, Julie Stepan of Sauk Centre; 31 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Edwina Dehler, Anita Eskeland, Rose Uphus, Marilyn (Fritz) Uphus, Julian (Audrie) Goerdt, and Louise Echola.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Ferdinand Stepan on March 2, 2017; sons, John and Kenneth, grandson, Clint Stepan; great-grandson, Colton Deters; daughter-in-law, Lylan Stepan;parents, Anton and Loretta Goerdt; siblings, Anthony Goerdt, Jr., Roger Goerdt, Joe Goerdt, Ione Kukla, RuthAnn Gieske, Barb Spellerberg; brothers-in-law, Herbert Dehler, Bob Kukla, Lloyd Eskelund, Sylvester Uphus, Bill Spellerberg, and Rick Echola.

During Evelyn's funeral mass, Amy Lamusga, along with McKinley Weiers provided the special music. Words of Remembrance were shared by Rebecca Stepan. Patrick Stepan served as cross bearer and Jim Stepan served as scripture bearer. Scripture readings were read by Jennifer Brezina and Katy Hausmann led the petitions. As communion was prepared, Ben Stepan, Shawn Rieland, and Jon Stepan presented the gifts to Father Sudhansu. Casket bearers included: Emily Stepan, Lynette Joens, Bethany Limbo, Heather Juelke, Kristen Wolf, Andrea Hammond, Jackie Lund, and Jennifer Brezina. Honorary casket beares were: Tanya Zivkovic, Maggie Stepan, Nga Stepan, Thomas Stepan, Timothy Dawson, Anthony Dawson, Jason Bromenshenkel, Marcus Bromenshenkel, Travis Stepan, Michael Stepan, Logan Stepan, Eugene Stepan, Nicole Lohre, Jennifer Gimse and Jeff Gimse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Family School, Sauk Centre.