Stephen Christensen, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, at WinnMed Hospital in Decorah, Iowa.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026, at St. Benedict Catholic Church 307 W. Main St. Decorah, Iowa, with Fr. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will follow at Phelps Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the family in honor of Stephen.

Stephen "Steve" Christensen was born at home in Newell, Iowa, on March 5th, 1940, to Winnifred (Waterman) and Elmer Christensen. He was the middle son, brother to James, the eldest, and his younger brother Gerald. He attended Newell High School and after graduation, he entered the United States Navy. It was during that time that he met Vera Lozano. They corresponded by mail for 2 years while he was stationed in the Azores. They were married on January 26th 1963, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and from that day on, they were inseparable for the next 62 years. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children: Diane, Julie, and Steve.

Following his 6 years of military service, Steve and Vera moved to Perry, Iowa, where Steve began his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. He worked as a lineman, installer/repairman, and as technology continued to change, eventually decided to become part of the distribution team that transported telephone cables across the Midwest. He acquired his CDL licensure and drove the Northwestern Bell's "big rigs". Throughout his life, he loved driving, always going easy and enjoying the view.

Steve's greatest joy was spending time with those he loved. He enjoyed roller-skating, and weekends often included trips with his family to the nostalgic roller rink in Ogden, Iowa. Steve and Vera were members of the Iowa Ski Club. He loved downhill skiing in Colorado with his family, as well as spontaneous bike rides, often riding with his children from Perry to Minburn, Iowa for a chocolate shake and back home again. While in his mid 70's, when the opportunity presented itself, Steve and his daughter Diane would "jump in" during RAGBRAI for a nice day ride. He carried the value of service, integrity, and dedication over the next 32 years with the telephone company until his retirement in 1996.  He was a model soldier and employee with unwavering kindness to everyone he met.

Retirement brought Steve and Vera to Decorah, Iowa, to be closer to their family and the joy of grandchildren! They attended all school activities, special events, and shared in all the love of watching their family grow. They were active in St. Benedict's Catholic Church, always enjoying fellowship and conversation. Steve kept his CDL license active in his retirement, this time hauling milk to various dairy farms around northeast Iowa and Wisconsin, always appreciating the beautiful scenery and listening to country music along the way. Steve loved the outdoors and could spend hours attending to his yard and his love of trees, especially evergreens. He planted many evergreens throughout his years in both Perry and Decorah, caring for and watering them often by hand. Steve and Vera traveled throughout Europe on various trips, but they especially cherished their time and travels with the Jim Busta/Mollie B family. For years, they enjoyed daily walks along 5th avenue together, followed by a stop for coffee at Kwik star. Steve never missed a classic car show or passed up an opportunity for ice cream. He was a most devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a quiet, steady presence always so loving, gentle, and kind.

Steve leaves his legacy of love with his wife, Vera; children, Diane ( Brooke) Tappe of Decorah, Steve ( Nina) Christensen of Menomonee Falls, WI. Grandchildren: Kurt Tappe, Megan (Kyle) Smith, Sarah (Nick) Andersen, Monica Tappe, Nathan( Monica) Tappe. Isabella Christensen and Olivia Christensen. 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Siblings: Jim Christensen and Gerald ( Cathy) Christensen.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Julie Ann, and Sister-in-law Marilyn Christensen