Stephen Youngdahl

Sad to learn of Pastor Youngdahl's passing. However, truly thankful that we were brought into his warm SOTH fold in the early 80s. It was always a delight to be around Pastor Steve, Phyllis and family. Thinking of all the memories.

Steve was a wonderful pastor, boss and friend. My time as the preschool director at SOTH was filled with his support, guidance and fun. He created a strong Christian church home which nourished my family for years.
He was a strong support during some life transitions for myself and my family. We will never forget his kindness, guidance, support and example of Christ's love. We are blessed to have known him.

Pastor Steve you will always be remembered ! We send your entire family all our prayers. You made an enormous difference our lives. Love to you all! Jan, Mark, Kristin, Erik and Karl Hansen

I have so many great memories of "Younger" from the 1960´s era at COP: playing is his jug band, trips to the dump, Hobart, the Jari, softball, meal time skits with Moose doing "Who´s on First", sharing with me his dreams of being an astronaut. His constant enthusiasm was especially noticeable after Reuben passed with the way he stepped up to help fill the void that was suddenly there. Especially noticeable was his natural ability in the pulpit. Younger was very talented, declaring that he was going to learn to play the guitar for the benefit of all at camp...which he did. It was Younger that gave me my nickname "Spider" and it stuck for good.
So Younger, thanks for being there for so many of us all those years ago. Great memories from a great era of a great guy.
Our deepest sympathies to the Youngdahl Family.

Bill "Spider" and Sue Sandberg

I just heard of Steve´s passing from Kristi Youngdahl . I have fond memories of both of you. The only time I ever camped in a tent was with you both in the boundary waters. Hugs and prayers to all of you!

Our family just moved here from California, and I was excited to see Pastor Steve Youngdahl locally at a Lutheran church. I was so looking forward to attending a service with him after all these years, but it deeply saddened me that I wasn´t able to do so. I attended his church in Lake Charles, LA, and was confirmed there. Pastor Steve brought me closer to God and helped me find joy in reading the Bible. I will always be grateful for his teaching, his passion, and his dedication. My thoughts and blessings are with his family as he joins his Father and loved ones. Denise Thilmony Cavanna

When I learned of Pastor Steve passing I took out my banjo and sang I'll Fly Away, sing with the angles Steve!

Pastor Steve was a great leader, long time friend to my parents, and helped shape my understanding of Christianity. He had an infectious laugh. I will always remember him, Phyllis, and growing up alongside his boys. Truly special family.

I thoroughly enjoyed sitting through Steve´s confirmation class as a mentor with my son´s group. I learned so much from him and he was so good with the kids. Beyond being an awesome pastor, he was a friend and will be dearly missed.

I hope that all of you know how much I love that man. He has been very important to me since we moved here in 1984. He always wanted hugs when we met & when we parted. I always treasured those hugs. He sat in front of us at Spirit in the Hills, and it isn't the same without he & Phyllis there. You all have my deepest sympathy. Love & hugs to all of you! Donna Herschleb

Hi, my name is Cara Campbell, my mom is Tanya (Lane) Campbell, daughter of Stanley Lane. We are currently sitting at dinner talking about family and were talking about his siblings. This of course of lead to internet searching of the Lane Family Chapel and so on. We came across Stephen's obituary and wanted to let you know we were thinking about you way over her in Arizona. Sending love from Tanya (Lane) Campbell and family.

and who remembers Steve and sons in Shepherd of the Hills' talent shows? always epic, including the skit they did for Steve's retirement party at the Fortunes! wonderful having pastors with spirit!

A lasting impression of Pastor Youngdahl was my first time to visit Shepherd of the Hills, in January, 1988, and when leaving the sanctuary after the service, he warmly shook my hand and asked me my name, acknowledging me as the stranger, and I was stranger no more - our family was home. With our deepest gratitude and eternal love for all Steve, Phyllis, Eric, Mark and John and families mean to all of us Jacksons.

Pastor Steve was such a wonderful influence on all of us. My son Tony enjoyed many years with Eric, Mark, John, Pastor Steve and so many more through the SOTH youth group. What wonderful memories of the Colorado mountain climbing and Minnesota Boundary Waters trips. I'm thankful Betty and I were able to visit Phyllis and Steve in early December. I'll always remember Steve's Cheshire grin during that visit. As I hugged him goodbye, I told Pastor Steve I really missed his sermons. With a grin larger than life, Pastor Steve replied, "You can always call me and I'll be happy to give you one."

My deep condolences to Phyllis and all the family.

So many me memories...Steph . With love and respect to the surviving family members.

Gay and I were saddened to learn about Pastor Steve´s passing. We have heard so much about the wonderful man and spiritual leader from Debbie and Hector (over the years) and routinely appreciated seeing his smile at Spirit in the Hills.

Hugs for Phylis..

A part of Pastor Steve continues on in the sons and grandchildren...

Stephen is well remembered. His easy smile, and heartfelt kindness will add a unique 'light of beingness' into Heaven's welcoming.
Clara Angelyn (Norwood)

A screen shot of the "Old Group" from Northwestern Seminary days, still zooming after all these years... until loss of Jack Niemi first, and now Steve Youngdahl. Grateful for friends.

Somehow that picture is worth a thousand words... Steve enjoying what someone said or did... smiling.

My friendship with Steve was cemented when we spent a summer as co-student pastors at Cathedral of the Pines, even though we were acquainted as classmates at Gustavus. I was thrilled when Steve announced at the end of the summer that he would also be attending Northwestern Seminary in the fall. A bond was quickly formed between seven students who had coffee together almost daily and who also met together with spouses on a regular basis. Since Steve and I were still the only singles in the group when we headed to different parts of the country for our internship year, we agreed on a wager of $5 about which one of us would stay single the longest. It soon became apparent that both of us had developed serious relationships in our intern congregations, which a few months later resulted in engagements. Nova and I set our wedding date for the last weekend of the summer before heading back to sem for our senior year, confident that I would therefore win the bet. However, Steve must have been determined to win that $5, as he and Phyllis set their wedding date for October. Steve served as my best man, and during the service, as he handed me the rings, I pulled out a brand new $5 bill tied up with a red ribbon and handed it to him. Well, it served him right when he forgot the money in his pants pocket upon returning the tux to the rental shop!

Our friendship was solidified even more when we were both called by the LCA's Texas-Louisiana Synod to develop new congregations in Austin -- Steve on the southwest side, and me on the northwest side. We both had our formal organization worship services on the same day, and for ten years until Nova and I moved to Colorado, Steve and I would meet once a week for breakfast with Pastor Merle Franke and Bishop Phil Wahlberg, and weekly, just the two of us, for lunch. What a great opportunity to share ministry ideas and grow our two congregations into strong, vibrant faith communities. Our families would also get together regularly, especially on the Christmas and Easter holidays. Steve and Phyllis are also godparents for our daughter, Marissa, and we are honored to be Jon's godparents.

I should also mention that our group of seven sem grads continued to stay in touch throughout our 50+ years of ministry and retirement. Since the pandemic in 2020 we have all met by Zoom about every three weeks. Occasionally during those 50+ years we would have a reunion "up north" in Minnesota on the shore of Lake Superior at the Youngdahl cabin. For the past couple of years, we mused that we were really an amazing group as we were all still alive, still good friends, and still married to our original spouses! Somewhat rare these days! Nova and I are so grateful that we were able to spend about 36 hours with Steve and Phyllis in early December in Phoenix when four of the seven couples were able to have a very meaningful reunion.

Steve, my friend, I will miss you a great deal, but your strong faith and your gentle spirit will stay with me for the rest of my days! Till we meet again....I love you! And Phyllis and the whole family, we love you too!

Pastor Steve was my lifeline when I needed his guidance & understanding after losing my husband. He was always there to give a smile & hug to my children growing up & all others who needed his help. He was just pure love as being our Pastor & friend!

So many great memories with the Youngdahl clan, including that very same sauna! Steve was such a great guy, who did so much good. We were all lucky to have him in our lives. Love to all of y'all, -scott

Pastor Y was a huge part of my life growing up and I learned so much from him. He will be greatly missed. Sending prayers for comfort and peace to the Youngdahl family.

I'm so thankful for our last visit. You and Phyllis sang, "All God's creatures have a place in choir. Some sing low, some sing higher, some sing out loud on the telephone wire and some just clap their hands or paws or anything they got now." You gave so many wonderful memories to so many people. Thank you, Jenna Ewing (Rohn)

My sympathies go out to all of the Youngdahl family. May God give you comfort and grace during this difficult time. I am surely praying for you all. God bless you, your friend and Neighbor, Debbie Hudson and family.

Steve was so kind and supportive to me during a very difficult time in my life. As a 21 yr old college grad on my own, my mother died 6 weeks after I moved to Austin. I was devastated and Steve called to check on me and we met for lunch several times. I´ll never forget that. Rest in peace Steve and may your legacy live on through acts of kindness. 2.5 years later my life changed and I was married at Shepherd of The Hills.

Larry and I are very grateful for knowing Steve as our pastor and good friend. He was solid in his faith and how he lived his life. He helped us to be better people by who he was.

Love to Phyllis and the family. I remember playing softball with Steve and Phyllis years ago. He was one of my Dad´s best friends. Such a fine man.

Thinking of the whole Youngdahl family
The Pennington-Rushing family

Seminary graduation and ordination recognition at Mt. Olivet

Condulanse too the family from Aud og Norman in Norway!

What a kind and wonderful man! We will miss our lunch/dinners with he and Phyllis. Love to all of the Youngdahl family