Steven Wentworth, Sr
Steven Wentworth, Sr (“The Professor”) passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 30, at age 87 surrounded by his children. He was born October 31, 1933, in King Township, Iowa, to James and Martha Wentworth on the family farm.
Steve loved the Lord which was reflected in the way he lived his life. As a husband, father, and teacher/mentor, he was caring, compassionate, loving, generous, gracious, and tenderhearted.
He met Deloris Thompson while driving her school bus route in Hibbing, MN, where he was attending Hibbing Community College. They married and reared four children in the Brainerd area until her death on March 17, 1979.
During his tenure at Brainerd Community college (“BCC”), he met Ardelle Eidenschink. Their common love for the Lord, family, and fun resulted in 37 years of devoted marriage until her recent death on February 2, 2021.
Steve and his family spent most of their early years (beginning in 1966) north of Brainerd on a hobby farm and were part of the Nazarene church at Merrifield. Personally, he also served with the Gideons International and participated in his local township government.
Some of the things that he was passionate about and enjoyed were learning and reading (science, agriculture, politics), farming, eating ice cream, and playing games with family and friends. The annual deer hunt and sausage-making was also a highlight and a very special family tradition.
His love for music, singing and positively impacting others was evident. One memorable example of this was his participation with the family’s annual Christmas day service/caroling at Bethany Nursing home which was followed by a hayride and wrapped up with great food, games and family time.
He and Ardelle owned/operated the Triangle ice cream business for several years (until 2014), and his love for farming never ceased as he focused on grain crops with his son Steve Jr.
Steve’s education included a Bachelor of Science from St. Cloud State University and a Master of Science from the University of South Dakota which formed the foundation for his teaching career: high school physics, math and chemistry at Graceville (1961-62) and Sauk Center (1962-1965); pre-engineering and physics (department head) at Brainerd Community College (“BCC”) from 1966-1994, when he retired.
Steve is survived by his children: Steven (Sue) Wentworth Jr, Cheryl (Tony) Mathison, Rene (Judd) Fredstrom, Kandy (Russ) Hildebrandt, Ruth Wittrock, Steven (Amy) Eidenschink, Nadine (Jim) Hessler, Paul (Julie) Eidenshink, Janelle (Donal) Reilly; 25 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and 2 brothers: Doug Wentworth and James (Elaine) Wentworth.
Preceded in death by his spouses, Deloris and Ardelle; 3 brothers, Arlan, Alan, Kerry; 5 sisters, Myrna, Gloria, Shirley, Norma, Marilyn; and his parents.
Funeral service for Steve will be held on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at 11AM at Halvorson Taylor Life Events Center. Visitation will be on Friday, June 4, 2021, from 4-7PM and one hour prior to the service, Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Center township. www.halvorsontaylor.com Livestream link
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