Obituary for Pr. Stephen Papillon Stephen “Steve” Papillon Stephen John Papillon entered into the presence of Jesus on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. His joy is now complete.
Steve was born February 28, 1951 to James and Bernace “Bennie” Papillon in Minneapolis, MN. He grew up in Columbia Heights with his three brothers, Scott, Mike, and terry. He was baptized into Christ on February 21, 1960 at First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights.
As a young adult, he rejected Christ as an atheist. But as he realized the truth of the Gospel and his need of it, he was powerfully converted to Christ on March 25, 1974. In 1977, Steve married Linda Mary Anderson at Borgund Lutheran Church of Madison, MN.
God blessed them with 9 children and 14 grandchildren (and one on the way). After graduating from Columbia Heights High School in 1969, Steve attended the University of Minnesota from ’69 to ’73. He received his BA in Christian Education from Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle in 1980.
Steve continued his education throughout pastoral ministry at the AFLTS Summer Institute Training Program. Early in his ministry, he fell in love with the Church and was a true shepherd of the Body of Christ. Throughout his entire life, he gave himself to helping the Church grow through discipleship and the teaching of God’s Word.
He claimed Titus 1:1 as the theme of his life, seeking to “further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness”. Steve served as Director of Discipleship and Evangelism at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (ALC) in Minneapolis from 1980-1987. He then became Director of Family Ministries at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN (“89-“97).
In 1997, Steve accepted a call to pastor Zion Free Lutheran Church in Wadena, MN, which the became a two-point parish with Bethany Free Lutheran Church in 2001 (’97-’08). He accepted a call as an Associat Pastor at Fox River Lutheran Church of Sheridan, IL (08′-’15). Finally, in 2016 Steve accepted his final call as Pastor over West Prairie Free Lutheran Church before retiring December 2017 because of health concerns.
Steve follows his father Jim, older brother Scott, and his oldest son Andrew (“Drew”) in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane; children, Amy (Drew) Papillon, Nicole (Christian) Talley, Naomi (Paul) Hensrud, David (Serena), Rachel, Daniel, Timothy (Lydia), Bethany (Luke) Temte, and Christopher; grandchildren, Judah, Tovi (Drew), Ava, Elias, Colben, Lewis, Edith (Nicole), Graeham, Syneva (Naomi), Juliet, Jane (David), Gwyneth, Brynn (Timothy), and Adeline (Bethany). A worship service celebrating Steve’s life will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 11 am at the Association Free Lutheran Bible School (AFLBS) with a visitation at 9 am.
If so desired, please designate memorial gifts to “The Steve Papillon Memorial Fund – AFLC Schools” established for the AFLC Schools Scholarships. Gill Brothers 952-888-7771 www.
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