Stephen E. Hunt

Stephen Erhart Hunt, age 76, of Medford, MN, died peacefully January 5, 2025, after an extended illness.
Friends may greet the family Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 PM at Medford Funeral Home (310 E. Central, Medford). Funeral service will be Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church of Medford (102 3rd St. SW, Medford) with visitation continuing one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Merton Township Cemetery.
Stephen was born January 28, 1948, in Northfield, MN, to Andres and Grace (Moore) Hunt. He moved to a farm in Medford, MN, at age two and spent his entire life there. He was active in high school plays, and was a member of FFA, going to the national convention twice.
He farmed with his parents, starting his own corn shelling business. On the farm, he milked cows and raised hogs and sheep. After the cows were gone, he worked in town, driving school bus for Medford Public Schools. He joined the Army Reserve and was trained in hauling equipment. It was there he met a lifelong friend, Glenn Frank.
Stephen met his first wife while driving truck in Wisconsin. They later divorced. He met Nancy J. Winter, and they were married March 4, 1983, at First English Church in Faribault, MN. With his marriage to Nancy, Stephen gained Missy and Jason, who he helped raise. He helped with homework, encouraged them to meet their goals, and instilled in them a strong work ethic.
Stephen often talked about doing wheat harvest in Kansas and encouraged by Nancy to fulfill his dream, he did just that for two years. The couple later traveled from Texas to North Dakota so he could share everything he did and introduce the people he worked for to Nancy.
He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Medford. He enjoyed washing dishes after the fall ham dinner. He was elected to Merton Township, serving as the clerk for two years. He was a Big Brother to "Little" Jesse Malecha of Faribault. They remained close throughout Stephen's life. Jesse said, "He showed me a strong work ethic". Jesse chose Stephen to be a Godfather to his son. In his spare time, Stephen loved painting and restoring old tractors with his son-in-law, Brad.
Stephen had many memories with niece, Jennifer (Brandon) Fedder and family, Owatonna, and nephews Mark Hofius and family, Red Wing, Dan (Val) Hofius and family, Red Wing, Karl (Tiffany) Hunt and family, Owatonna, doing chores, feeding calves, driving tractor, and working in the woods.
Stephen and Nancy loved to travel, many miles or 'just down the road'. He taught Nancy to "Never be afraid of what is down the road". Another very important part of Stephen's life was following in his father's footsteps and caring for workhorses. He shared this hobby with his family, and they showed the horses at parades, weddings and fairs. His biggest joy was bringing the horses to Special Horses – Special People for four days each June in Waseca. He never missed this opportunity and was proud to bring family and friends to assist.
Stephen is survived by his wife, Nancy; children: Missy Winter, Farmington, MN, and Jason (Joellen) Medford; grandchildren: Anthony (Jess) Hedberg of Oklahoma, Meranda Hedberg, Bloomington, MN, and Elizabeth Winter, Medford; and great-grandson Wyatt Hedberg, Meriden, MN. He is also survived by his brother Vince (Donna) Hunt, Owatonna, with whom he shared many action activities; and sister Sherry (Gene) Hofius, Mazeppa, MN, who told him, "You are the best brother I could have had"; nephews Karl (Tif) Hunt, Dan (Val) Hofius, Mark Hofius; niece Jennifer (Brandon) Fedder; and his "Little" Jesse (Tammy) Malecha.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, and first wife.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church of Medford and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota.