Stephen Richard "Steve" Ponto

1949 - 2018

Former Alaska resident Stephen "Steve" Richard Ponto, 69, died on April 14, 2018, at his home in Hayden, Idaho.
At his request, a small service will be held in his home in May.
Mr. Ponto was born in Minneapolis, Minn., to Richard and Lillian (Hammer) Ponto. Minneapolis was home until 1952, when the family bought a farm near Miltown, Wis. Steve graduated from Unity High School in 1967.
Upon graduation, Steve moved to the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and worked various jobs until 1973, when he moved to San Francisco, Calif. That stay was short lived, and in February 1974, Steve bought a one way ticket to Anchorage, Alaska, at the invitation of his sister, Sharon.
His first job was seismic surveying on the ice north of Prudhoe Bay. A year and a half later, he was surveying for the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, which he continued post construction until 1985. At that time, Steve quit working to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage and earned a business degree, cum laude, in 1989. He put his degree to work in 1990, earning a job with Key Bank, where he worked for 18 years. Steve retired from Northrim Bank in Anchorage after a six year stint with that bank.
While working at Key Bank, Steve met and married the love of his life, Minna (Gehrt) Ponto. Wanting to be closer to grandchildren, they opted to move to the smaller 48 and purchase their retirement dream home in Hayden, Idaho, moving there in mid-2014. Steve had his dream woodshop.
Steve is survived by his four sisters, Juanita Burris of Florida, Sharon Frascati of Alaska, Vicki Rossing of Minnesota and Cindy Knospe of Wisconsin; his son, Garrett Ross Ponto of Arizona; and his mother, Lillian Ponto of Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 208-772-7994, in Steve's name.
Condolences may be sent to Minna at 22121 N Derting Road, Hayden, ID 83835.