Obituary of Stephen R. Magnuson
Stephen Raymond Magnuson, 79, of Cambridge, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2019 at GracePointe Crossing with Margaret, his loving wife of nearly 57 years, at his side, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Stephen ("Steve") was born on April 15, 1940 in St. Paul, to Melvin and Lucille (Christenson) Magnuson. The father of his heart was his stepfather, Vincent Barta. Steve married Margaret Marie Betz on September 15, 1962 at Park Baptist Church in St. Paul. They had two children, Beth Marie (Christenson), born April 26, 1966, and James Stephen, born December 19, 1968. In 1975, Stephen realized a lifelong aspiration when the family moved to a farm near Cambridge. He was a devoted husband and father. He spent countless hours driving his daughter and her horses to shows and fairs and his son to hockey practices and games in the deep cold of Minnesota winters.
Steve was an electrician and a dedicated member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 110. From 1989 to 1996, Steve continued working full-time as an electrician but also supported Margaret's dream, as they owned and operated the Creamery Cafe in Isanti together. He was a committed member of North Isanti Baptist Church since 1975. His model of hard work and an ethical life continues to inspire his family and many who knew him.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, his grandparents, his brothers Donald and Robert, his sister Darlyne (Bauer), and his nephews Douglas Trecartin and Robert Magnuson, Jr.
Steve is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Cambridge; his daughter Beth Christenson and her husband Chad of Cambridge; his son James and daughter-in-law Inge-Marie Eigsti; granddaughters Lucia Marie Eigsti Magnuson and Eleanor Marie Eigsti Magnuson of Storrs, CT; his dear sister Geraldine Berc and her husband Max of Vadnais Heights; his sister- and brother-in-law Roberta (Betz) and Raymond Trecartin, of Anderson, CA; and several nephews and nieces and their children.
Steve's family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to those who eased his burden and ours over the past years: Kathy Swing (PCA); the staff at GracePointe Crossing, SV-1; the staff of Optage Hospice; and his church family at North Isanti Baptist Church.
Funeral Services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at North Isanti Baptist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Association (http://act.alz.org) to promote research for a cure to Alzheimer's disease.
