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Steve Stefanski went to be with the lord on January 3rd, 2026. He passed away peacefully in his own home surrounded by family.
Steve was born in Milwaukie, Wisconsin on September 27th, 1942. He was the oldest of five children. Steve attended grade school and graduated in Milwaukie. At the age of seventeen, Steve fibbed about his age and joined the Air Force in 1960. After basic training, he was stationed in Okinawa. He returned to the states in 1962 and was stationed at Mt. Hebo. While stationed at Mt. Hebo, Steve met the love of his life and future wife Peggy Banks in Tillamook Oregon. Steve and Peggy began dating and were married in July of 1963. In April of 1965, they welcomed their only child Stephen.
Steve chose the path of computers in his Air Force career and stationed in several places in the United States. The family spent time in Michigan, Mississippi, Washington, California, and Oregon. The highlight of Steve’s illustrious 20-year Air Force career was the creation of some computer software. That gained him a special medal and enabled him to have a one-year tour as an instructor at the Pentagon teaching higher ranking officers what he had developed. Steve’s final station was back at Mt. Hebo until it closed. He retired from the Air Force in 1980. Steve joined the Civil Service in 1983 and spent time in California, Washington, and Canada before retiring again several years later. Once retired again, Steve and Peggy relocated back to Tillamook Oregon to be close with family. Steve kept busy with odd jobs, golf, computers, and being an active member of his church. Steve was a ministry assistant and deacon at Life Change Christian Fellowship church for about five years.
In 2015, Steve had a stroke, and his health had steadily declined since then. He spent his final years around home with family and friends. He had a love for God and will be missed by many.
Steve was preceded in death by a nephew, Bobby Yerkes, parents, Frank and Kathleen Stefanski, sister, Joann Wales, brother in laws, Ken Wilson and Jack Luderus, and grandson, Michael Udenby.
Steve is survived by his wife Peggy, son, Stephen (Linda), Sisters, Linda Yerkes (Robert), and Kerry Luderus, brother, Eric (Patricia), Sister in law, Dorothy Ratcliffe (Ryan), and Georgia Wilson, grandchildren, Michelle Thorne, Melissa McLaughlin (Tyler), great grandchildren, Baily, Nicole, and Madison Jepson, Hunter and Natalie McLaughlin, great great grandchild, David Reichow, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held January 10th, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Life Change Christian Fellowship church located at 3500 Alder Ln, Tillamook.