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David Stegmeier Pastor
David Stegmeier Pastor
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David Stegmeier Obituary
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David was born in Heil, North Dakota, to Calvin and Leontina Stegmeier (both deceased) and in 1946, the family moved from North Dakota to Plains, Montana where he would years later graduate from Plains High School. He finished his education at the University of Montana and began his first teaching assignment in Thompson Falls, Montana. In 1967 David was advised by the school superintendent to join the Army Reserves to avoid being drafted and to facilitate a rapid return to the teaching profession.
In 1968 he married the love of his life, Millie Prior, whom he met at a church camp in Newark, Ohio. In 1970, David felt a divine call to travel to Oregon from Ohio with his wife and infant son, Randy, to pastor a small group of people on Elisha Road in Molalla. Soon after, their home was blessed with six other children: Korine, Lorine, Ronald, Dorine, Reginald, and Roland and in the following years, twenty-five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
As a beloved pastor of the Canby Church of God for 54 years, Pastor Stegmeier touched countless lives with his unwavering devotion to his faith and his congregation. His sermons were filled with wisdom, grace, and a profound love for God and his fellow human beings. He served as a guiding light, offering comfort and spiritual support to all who sought his counsel.
Pastor Stegmeier was not only a pillar of strength within his church community but also a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His gentle spirit, warm smile, and compassionate heart left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He was a source of strength and inspiration to his family and friends, always leading by example with humility, kindness, and an abundance of love.
While pastoring, he was employed as a substitute schoolteacher in Molalla and later in the Canby School District. Because of his love for young people, he soon acquired the title of "Favorite Substitute" and in 2001 received the award of "Substitute Teacher of The Year" for the state of Oregon.
Pastor Stegmeier's ministry was far- reaching as he traveled across the US and several times to Africa, Honduras, Haiti, and the Cayman Islands.
He leaves to mourn a loving wife of almost 56 years, his seven children (and their families) two sisters: Audrey Schmitt and Virginia Sanders and three brothers: James, George, and Robbie Stegmeier.
Though he may have left this earthly realm, Pastor Stegmeier has now received his heavenly reward, where he will forever bask in the presence of the Lord he served so faithfully. His legacy of love, faith, and service will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The Canby Church of God in honor of Pastor Stegmeier's dedication to serving others and spreading God's love.
Friends, family, and members of the community can come together to honor his memory and rejoice in the knowledge that he has found eternal peace in the arms of his Heavenly Father. A viewing will be held on Friday 22 from 5-8 p.m. and a memorial service on March 23 at 10:00 am at The Church of God 522 North West Second Ave Canby Oregon 97013.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Canby Funeral Chapel, 160 South Grant Street, Canby, OR.
Canby Funeral Chapel
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Carol L. Hermiston
May 30, 2024
David was a student ate the University of Montana. I was around 10 yrs. My parents, sister and I would go visit David at his apartment. David and his family were apart of my childhood and young adult life in Plains. Our family moved to Paradise, Mt. David was teaching in Thompson Falls.
Carol Lacock Hermit
Tom Eggensperger
March 25, 2024
Many of us have vivid memories of unique individiuals who influenced our lives. And when that inidividual is an educator and a friend, it becomes very special. That's how I remember Dave. I was 12 and in his first class as a teacher in Thompson Falls, a seventh English class in an old building that was the original high school. Mr. Stegmeier, as we addressed him, was a dashing young man in a short sleeved blue dress shirt with a thin tie. Our first impression was awe, we were more used to older individuals and this was our first exposure to a male teacher. After a brief welcome, he sat on a stool behind an open podium and casually probed our basic knowledge of sentences and verbs. To say the least he wasn't pleased, but in a memorable manner he simply said we needed to start again with the basics. That simple observation and solution has stuck with me for the 61 years that I've known him. He was kind, knowledgable and professional as he commanded his classroom.
And little did I know or expect that he and I would bond and become lifelong friends.
In addition to his English teaching duties he was the music teacher and he suggested I move from a clarinet to a bass clarinet because he felt that would provide better balance to the band. That was more attention in my music education than I had ever received and he took the time to help me adjust to the new instrument.
We became friends in a Christian arena as well. He invited me to travel with him to Hot Springs Friday evenings where we would sing for residents of what now we call an assisted living center. We would drive to Plains oftening stopping to visit with his family in their stately older farm house on the edge of the Clark Fork River. Then it would be off to Hot Springs in his 1960's Chevrolet Corvair. A sports car in its own right. They were memorable experiences, and we came to know each other well. I gained great support for this talented and remarkable individual, as did the many other students whom he taught.
In later years as his contract was extended, he concentrated more on his music teaching talents, creating the Choraleers, a group of 16 of the best voices in the high school. It was a real honor for those chosen to sing, and although, I didn't pass muster, I stayed active in his choir. And we remained close friends.
He left Thompson Falls before my senior year, and then our encounters were greatly reduced. We stayed in touch, but as the years passed, even those communications were more infrequent.
One time, many years later, after we returned to Thompson Falls to own the newspaper, he and Millie and the kids stopped by and we had a brief, but memorable visit.
Then in 2018 we had a chance to visit him in Canby and it was just like old times, a wonderful visit with he and MIllie and our granddaughter and my wife.
We communicated by phone a few times after that, but not as much as I think both of us would have enjoyed.
I will miss him dearly, but I am comforted by the love and respect he earned from his many talents and from his wonderful family who were so blessed.
Dave was a great friend, a gifted mentor and an inspiration to all who truly knew him.
I feel blessed to have known him so well.
Tom Eggensperger
patti Kay beck
March 23, 2024
Our deepest love and our prayers to the family. Pastor David truly had a Pastor's heart. We were blessed and enriched by any opportunity that brought us alongside Pastor David or His Congregation or His Remarkable family. God bless each of you. Patti Beck and family
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Sis Lynn White
March 22, 2024
Our prayers and hearts go out to the Family and
Church Family. He was an unique man and will be missed dearly. Love Bro & Sis White. O'Fallon MO
Sondra Appleton
March 22, 2024
Only 2 entries for this incredible man. I was a former student and he's the only teacher that made me feel like I was worth anything. I went to his church a couple of times and was always made feel welcome
Barry Lewis
March 20, 2024
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Brother David. We have a lot of good memories of him over the years. When he lived in Ohio and was Chaplin at Wilmington Air Force Base I was a young boy and spent some weekends staying in the base chapel with him while dad was flying. After I had gone to sleep one night I was wakened by his praying in the sanctuary, he was blowing the roof off of the church. That is a precious memory that has stuck with me over the years. He and sister Millie were close friends with my parents. The last few years when my mother was sick and couldn't get out of the house, he never failed to visit her, send her flowers and pray with her when he would be in town for revivals or camp meetings. He truly had a pastors heart. We were blessed to have had him in our lives. Our prayers are with the family and congregation that God will comfort them in this time of great loss.
Barry & Wendy Lewis
Newark, Ohio
Lori Kinslow
March 19, 2024
Mr Stegmeier was my absolute favorite substitute teacher throughout my years at Canby High School. In 1989, he performed my grandmother's memorial service and did so so incredibly beautifully and lovingly. For the last couple years of her life, he visited her weekly in her home and she, as well as the rest of the family, we're so very thankful for his dedication to her spiritual journey. Sending so much love to his family and friends and prayers of sympathy, love, strength and healing hearts. He was truly a wonderful man.
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