Steven Padgitt

Steven C. Padgitt, 80, died on October 27, 2023, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa. He was the son of Burbin and Viola Padgitt of Kellerton, Iowa. Steve was an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and and Emeritus Professor of Rural Sociology at Iowa State University.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on November 1, 2023, at the United Congregational Church in Ames. A light luncheon will be served following the service, and the family will greet visitors at that time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Food at First ( 611 Clark Ave, Ames, IA 50010) or another charity of your choice.
Steven Charles Padgitt was born in a farmhouse which had no electricity and no running water on April 7th, 1943, to Burbin Padgitt and Viola (Asman) Padgitt. The third of four brothers, he was raised on a dairy farm 3 miles southeast of Kellerton, Iowa. The Padgitt family worked hard every day to sustain the family farm. The boys were taught to consider God first, others second, and themselves third. He embraced these values throughout his life. Steve attended a one room school until 4th grade. When he was in second grade, his parents bought him an accordion, and he enjoyed playing at school and church events.
Steve graduated from Grand Valley high school in 1961. After graduating from Iowa State (B.S., 1965), he spent two years at the University of Missouri (M.S.,1967), then returned to Iowa State to work on a doctoral degree in Sociology. He met Janet Barfels through the course of completing his PhD research, and they were married on May 28, 1971.
Steve joined the faculty at University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire, where he taught for 9 years and attained the rank of Associate Professor. He and Janet built a house and started their family in Eau Claire, with Courtney born in 1975 and Noelle in 1978. Janet and Steve returned to Ames in 1980, and Steve was offered a tenure-track position with the Iowa State University Extension Service in the Sociology department in 1983. His career at Iowa State included travel all over the state of Iowa, conducting research, leading workshops and guiding training, as well as on-campus teaching, advising, and administrative roles. He was promoted to full professor in 1994. He was respected by his fellow faculty members, and his mentoring of graduate students and advisees often evolved into life-long friendship. Steve enjoyed family vacations, ski trips to Colorado, and cruising around in his 1958 Edsel Pacer convertible, purchased in 1994 in an extremely rare act of self-indulgence. "Padgitts are resourceful", he told his family, and he enjoyed building, fixing, and tinkering throughout his life.
Upon retirement in 2012, Steve turned his attention to addressing hunger (and food waste) in his local community. What started out as an occasional excursion with Abbie the golden retriever to "glean" day-old bread from Hy-Vee and leftover pizza from Pizza Ranch evolved over time into an integral role with Food at First. Steve not only volunteered, he served on the board and participated in grant writing. Steve was an ordained Elder and Deacon, but most enjoyed his role as a "church basement lady" on the funeral committee. Steve accompanied youth group mission trips to Kentucky, Minneapolis, and Missouri. He also served on the board at Home for a While, ensuring access to transitional housing for families in need. He and Janet traveled extensively in Europe and most of the United States. A highlight of their travels was a trip with their children and grandchildren to Alaska in 2022 to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Steve enjoyed frequent trips to Minneapolis to visit his grandchildren, Alexi, Andrew, and Simon. Family visits to grandma and grandpa's house often included Edsel rides and home-made, hand-cranked ice cream.
Steve is survived by his wife Janet, his children Courtney (Jenny) Padgitt, and Noelle (Shaun) Morrell, and his grandchildren, Alexi Joan Padgitt, Andrew Graham Padgitt, and Simon Gerald Morrell, his brothers Merritt (Chloe) Padgitt and Dennis (Janice) Padgitt, as well as his nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jack Padgitt.