Stephen W. Slotten

Stephen Wayne Slotten, of Wentzville Missouri, after a long illness, took the hand of Christ and was guided peacefully to his new home, on September 11, 2023. Stephen was born on November 10, 1949 to Curtis W. and Rose E. Slotten of Lakeview, Ohio. Stephen attended Lakeview High School where he developed close, lifelong friendships. He was an athlete and lettered in multiple sports. He graduated from Lakeview High School in 1967, and went on to study engineering technology at Sam’s Technical Institute in Indiana.

The way Steve tells it, he hopped a barge that landed him in St. Louis, where he accepted a job doing telecommunication designs for Western Electric. Soon after, he met his future wife, Carol. They wed in September of 1972. Since then, they have been blessed with three children: Stephen K. Slotten (JulieAnne), Juliane R. Ross (Dave), and Jessica N. Stergos (Luke), and four grandchildren, Landon, Jordan, Kai, and Koa.

 Stephen was a good and kind man. A loving and caring husband and father. He expressed his love not only with his words, but by his deeds.  He worked hard to support his family and put their needs above his own.  Whether it was encouraging his son and daughters in their educational and career pursuits, or supporting them in their extracurricular activities, he always made time for them. When Steve received a call from his brother, Larry, that his help was needed to care for both of his ailing parents, Steve returned to Ohio. He stayed and cared for his mother throughout her hospitalization, surgery and chemotherapy, and managed the care for his father.

Beyond his family, Stephen was an animal lover and enjoyed the time he spent with his dogs:  Joe, Buddy, and Grady.  He is probably throwing the Frisbee with then now.

 Steve enjoyed most sports, but football and Cardinal baseball were his favorites. His hobbies included; motorsports, fishing, gardening and lawn work. Although, Carol thought the lawn work was to get out of doing the house hold chores, they did have the best curb appeal in the neighborhood.

One of Carol’s first experiences with Steve’s enthusiasm for fishing was after coming home from work one night and found a fish swimming in the bathtub. “It’s for dinner!” he said.

Stephen was an avid car enthusiast and racing fan. He was an active, long-term member of The Sports Car Club of America, and raced with the Saint Louis chapter. He could commonly be seen on weekends tearing up the track in his black Honda CRX.

Steve was happy to lend a helping hand to a friend, neighbor or even a stranger.  It was not unusual to find him under a friend’s car helping him fix it; or, shoveling a safe pathway for a neighbor, after a heavy overnight snow. One afternoon, Steve popped into a fast-food restaurant. A disheveled man was sitting in a corner booth. The person behind the counter apologized, saying, “that’s Ted, he’s set up camp in the park.”  Steve went over and talked with Ted, then told him to go to the counter and order as much of anything he wanted.  Steve looked at the server and said, “it’s on me.”  

Steve was accomplished and knowledgeable in many areas. The “go to guy” for many things. However, Stephen felt his most important accomplishment, and what he was most proud of, was having seen his children grow into loving, respectful and responsible adults, who are raising curious, fun loving and kind children of their own. This was the greatest joy of his life and made him feel like the richest and most blessed man in the world. His family feels the same about him.

 Aah, Grandpa Daycare! His most favorite thing of all. Grandpa Day care was being dropped off at Grandpa’s house before Mom and Dad went to work. The day was spent singing songs, playing on the floor with cars or wrestling with him.  Going outside meant being gently pushed on the swing, throwing or kicking a ball around, or jumping in a huge pile of leaves, then coming inside for a snack and falling asleep in his arms while reading “The Napping House.”

Thank You, Grandpa daycare!  Thank You, for all the warm, fun, and joyful memories you have given us. You are greatly Loved.  You are greatly missed.

Stephen’s faith in our Lord and Savior gave him strength and guidance throughout his life.

Knowing that Christ was by his side throughout this illness gave Steve the strength to bare it, and brought him comfort and peace at the end.  Please continue to keep his family in prayer.

September 23, 2023 would have been Steve’s and Carol’s 51^st Anniversary

Steve was proceeded in death by his parents, Curtis and Rose Slotten, his younger brother, Larry Slotten, and his daughter-in-law, JulieAnne Slotten.

A remembrance celebration will be held in the future, as soon as all of Steve’s children and grandchildren are able to gather together in Wentzville. Please check this site for updates.

Instead of flowers, please honor Steve with a donation to one of these charities: Humane Society of Missouri, the National Kidney Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.