Donald Edward Stephan was a larger-than-life person of which there are plenty of stories to be told. To some, he was the charming presence that could make your dreams come true. To others, he was the energy in the room moving the present into the future. To us – his family – he was a man that tried his best to be a husband, father, brother, and grandfather.
He was born in Piqua, Ohio on May 3rd, 1936 to Edward and Mary Stephan. The oldest of four, his natural ability to lead was apparent to his siblings – Walt, Kathy, and Stephanie, who always had a story to tell about their older brother. He would go on to marry his high school sweetheart, Donna, have three beautiful children – Steve, Scott, and Angela – and move them to the great state of Minnesota. He knew what he wanted and went after it. His job was in sales where he worked for Mosler Safe Co., among other companies, and even won the 1968 Pinnacle Award for his hard work, but his true talent was in people. Years later, he married an accounting associate, Sandra, and would later have two more beautiful children – Casii and Donald E.W. This would then go on to complete the confusing (to others, not us), yet ever-loving, Stephan clan in Minnesota.
Throughout Donald Stephan’s life, he had his highs and lows, twists and turns, and when it came time for the final chapter of his story, he came back to his family to just be. His love of jokes, pranks, movies, and talking to random people will live on through the legacy of the family he left behind – Donna Stephan, Sandra Stephan, his five children – Steve (Deb) Stephan, Scott (Tia) Stephan, Angela (Eric) Quick, Casii Stephan, and Donald E.W. Stephan – and his grandchildren – Angela (Charley) Follett, Rob (Jessica) DeGreeff, Taylor Severson (Eric Stier), Samantha Severson (Brian Ramdhan), Isaac Quick, Hannah Quick, and Joanna Quick, and his great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister Kathy Blackburn, his parents, Edward and Mary Stephan, and his niece, Christine Stephan. His living siblings – Walt (Sally) Stephan and Stephanie Stackhouse and his nieces and nephews will miss him dearly. Donald Edward Stephan passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, and closed the final chapter on a life that could only be stopped by an act of God. His memorial service will be Friday, May 20th, 2022 at Roberts Funeral Home (8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, 55077) with visitation starting at 6pm and a memorial service starting at 7pm. If you would like to send a memorial, please give money to the Staff of Inver Grove Heights Good-Samaritan, in loving memory of Donald Stephan” in honor of all the faithful years they served Donald E. Stephan.
