In Memory of Steven L. Iversen

If you were blessed enough to know this man on a personal level, I extend my congratulations.

If you were unlucky enough to be on the other side of his good graces, I send my condolences. Steven Lynn Iversen, AKA “Daddio, PaPa, and Great PaPa”, went to be with his wife, son, and the rest of his family above on April 17, 2024 at 10:19 pm with “his person” by his side.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., with visitation held one hour prior from 10:00 am to 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Ida County Conservation Center at 299 Jasper Ave., Ida Grove, Iowa.  

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Steven Lynn Iversen was born on October 22, 1954, to Emil J. and Evelyn J. (Peterson) Iversen, their 5^th child and 4^th son. Steve spent his first few years of life on the farm in Paradise Township of Crawford County, Iowa. 1957 found the family moving to a farm in rural Schleswig, Iowa. In 1958 Steven was baptized at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Ricketts, Iowa and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove. Steve started his early education in Schleswig and finished in Ida Grove. One of his first jobs was riding with Russel Schultz delivering milk with his brother Bob. He spent his early years building staves alongside his dad and Grandpa Jurgen (which was a fond memory for him), working at Hanson Silo, Midwest Industries, mason work with Jack Baker, and road construction with his brother John, then along side his neighbor Doug Hopkins.

The year was 1976 when he met the love of his life Vicki Reitz. They were married October 29, 1976, in Elk Point, SD, under a basketball hoop in the school gym as the courthouse was under construction. To this union they were blessed with a son Chad Robert, daughter Stephanie Fern, and Vicki’s son from her first marriage Jeremie Alan.

He was kept busy gardening and preserving his bountiful produce trying many new ideas. He remembers making bread with his granddaughter Abbie as she wanted to learn at the age of 6 years old and ended up dumping the bowl of oil and yeast all over the kitchen floor and he says “that was the first and only time I have done the splits.” He was a very good cook and shared his talent with his grandson Calvin by showing him how to cook what he hunted.

Steve spent many hours fishing, hunting, and harvesting his “BIG Buck” which he proudly paraded through the hospital in Ida Grove to show his love Vicki after it was mounted. When he was laid off in the winter you would find him making his famous homemade bread and if you were lucky, he would gift you a loaf. He showed many of his cooking talents with grandchildren Abbie and Calvin.

Standing at the Golden Gate to welcome him were his parents Emil J and Evelyn J. Iversen; wife Vicki; son Chad; brothers Allen “Butch” and Robert “Bob”; sister Sue; and brother-in-law Richard Hoaglund; as well as all his friends that went before him.

Survivors include his children Stephanie (Andrew) Corr; and Jeremie (April) Reitz; grandchildren Abbie (Tyler), Calvin, Zane, Ethan (Alexia), Caleb (Hanna), and Alana; great-grandchildren Luke Ray, Cole Steven, and Ivy Alice; brothers Emil (Jimi) and John (Karen); sister Emily Hoaglund; brothers-in-laws Mike (Anna), Mickey (Deb), Gaylen (Nora), and Henry (Candy); sisters-in-law Diane Reitz and Karman Reitz; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends; special friend Rose Brueck and the Green Street Gang.

A few honorable mentions are required, I feel as these were people that held a special place in Steve’s life till the end: Doug Hopkins, Brian Sahl, Jeffery BoDean and Corey “Buck” Hanson.

A very special thank you to St. Croix Hospice, you ladies went above and beyond to see that dad could go with dignity and on his own terms.

You were strong. You were resilient. You were independent. You made the best of each and every day. You left this world a better place Daddio.