Rev. Lawrence Steen

WEBSTER- Rev. Lawrence Steen, 88 of Webster died on Monday, June 15, 2009 at his daughter’s home in Lewisberry, PA. His funeral will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, June 22, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service (fiksdalfuneral.com) in Webster on Sunday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Monday. Lawrence Norman Steen was born on October 6, 1920 to John and Julia (Kjonaas) Steen at Parshall, North Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Lucky Mound Lutheran Church by Rev. Andrew Nordaune. He attended grade school and two years of high school at a country school near Parshall until he transferred to Parshall High School and graduated in 1938. After high school he attended Minot Teaching College in Minot, North Dakota where he received a Teaching Degree in 1941. He then taught at a rural school near Minot until returning to the family farm to help out with farming. He farmed until 1945, at which time he enrolled at Concordia College in Concordia, Minnesota where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1947. He then continued his education at Luther Theological Seminary School in St. Paul, Minnesota where he graduated in 1950. He was ordained at Lucky Mound Lutheran Church in Parshall on July 9, 1950. He was first called to a parish in Solon Springs, Wisconsin which he served form 1950 to 1957. This parish consisted of three churches including, Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Solon Springs, Grace English Lutheran at Wentworth, Wisconsin, and Bethlehem Lutheran at Patzau, Wisconsin. He also served as the Lutheran Chaplain at Middle River Sanitarium and at Gordon State Prison in Wisconsin. His next call came from Baudette, Minnesota where he served First Lutheran Church, Wabonica Lutheran Church, and Clemenson Lutheran Church all in the Baudette area. While serving this parish he also managed Lake of the Woods Bible Camp. He served this parish for 14 years. On June 14, 1957 he married Barbara Erickson at Baudette. To this union two daughters were born. The family continued to live in Baudette until moving to Seneca, Illinois where Reverend Steen served Stavanger Lutheran Church in Seneca for six years. The family then moved to Adams, North Dakota where he discovered the Steen Family Homestead located across the road from the church he served. He remained with this parish for 11 years. In 1989 the coupe moved to Webster, South Dakota where he served as part time minister at St. John’s Lutheran Church. He retired in 1998 and in 2000 celebrated his 50th Anniversary for Ordination. Mrs. Steen passed away March 21, 2001. Reverend Steen continued to live in Webster until just recently moving to Pennsylvania to be near his daughter Lori Ann. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and spending time with his family. He was passionate for the ministry and served the Lord with true conviction. Reverend Lawrence Steen passed away June 15, 2009 at Lewisberry, Pennsylvania the age of 88 years, 8 months, and 9 days. He is survived by two daughters: Lori Ann (Don) Weaver of Lewisberry, PA, Alicia Bata of Adams, ND, one brother Kenneth Steen of WA, four grandchildren: Jamie Boe, Skylar, Afton, and Falon Weaver. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, one daughter Miriam (Mrs. Mike) Thorson, one brother Art, and one sister Opal.