Thomas (Tom) Stephan, of River Falls, age 84, died peacefully in his home Nov. 20, 2023.
Tom was born July 29,1939 to Rev. Luther and Dorothy Stephan. He spent his childhood in Milwaukee, Wis. and Arlington Heights, Ill. He attended Concordia, Milwaukee, Concordia Sr. College, Fort Wayne, Ind., Concordia Seminary, St Louis, Mo. He was ordained as a minister in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in 1965. He was the fifth generation of Lutheran ministers.
Tom served parishes in Nebraska, California, St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo. He worked with various peace organizations in St. Louis, Kansas City, and River Falls as well as groups that advocated for immigrants and the disenfranchised. He volunteered as a music teacher at River Falls Public Montessori.
Tom enjoyed working outdoors, camping, swimming and hiking with family. Tom married Carol Bader on Aug. 4, 1968. They have two children, Natasha Stephan of Kansas City, Mo. and Ariel Stephan of River Falls.
Tom is also survived by brothers Luke (Carole) of Tucson, Ariz., Robert (Judy) of Bremen, Maine, Reynold (Eileen) of Berlin, Wis., Syd (Cinda) of Scandia, Minn. and sisters Gloria Jabs of Almo, Texas and Ingrid Stephan (Donna DePape) Texas, Bill Bader (Andrea) of St. Libory, Neb., and Marilyn Bader of St. Paul, Neb. and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Rush River Lutheran Church, River Falls, Wis. in the spring.
