"I was terribly upset to see this notification. Steve and I were friends in med school and he helped make that experience truly tolerable. I am sorry we didn't keep up with each other but time and distance as well as professional responsibilities served to move us in different directions. I found out about his passing while referring a patient to Mayo. I thought about Steve and what he was doing so I googled him. I was dismayed to come across his obituary. Please accept my condolences."
In loving memory of
Dr. Steven Zeldenrust
April 17, 1963 - July 10, 2019
Steven R. Zeldenrust, age 56, of Rochester, MN passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. He found great comfort and encouragement throughout his life from his faith in Christ. Family brought him his greatest enjoyment and fulfillment. Steve was a respected colleague, teacher and lifelong learner.
Steve is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deb (Peterson); sons, Jon (Megan) and Eric (Abbey); grandsons, Theodore and Micah; mother, Joan (Ridder); and sisters, Lauree (Wayne) Pondinas and Mary (John) Rosenbaum. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert and sister, Pamela.
Steve was born and raised in Indiana. He graduated from Munster High School in 1981 and went on to attend Hope College. He furthered his education at both Purdue University and Indiana University from which he received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. He and his family moved to Rochester in 1995 to train and work at Mayo Clinic. Steve was a consultant in the Division of Hematology.
Steve loved spending time outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed traveling, scuba diving and riding his Harley. He was an active member of Autumn Ridge Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Steve Zeldenrust Memorial Fund, which supports a Mayo trained couple working overseas in medical missions. It can be accessed online at: http://www.simusa.org/give?id=501965-090&dsg=Project or memorials can be directed to:
SIM USA
Memo Line: Steve Zeldenrust Memorial
PO Box 7900
Charlotte, NC 28241-7900
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2019 at Autumn Ridge Church. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Zeldenrust family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Dear Deb, John, and Eric, I can't tell you how sad I was to see this news on the Schaeffer website. He was a wonderful father and husband. I loved knowing your family while I taught at Schaeffer. Eric and John, you were wonderful first grade students, and I am sure have grown to be wonderful young men now. Deb, You were the best sub ever in my whole teaching career. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Praying for God's comfort and strength in the days ahead. Sincerely, Mrs. Hansn"
"I knew Steve first as a man of scientific intellect, tenderness for patients, and a wonderful colleague, and then began to appreciate the man of faith and dedication to not only family but to service of all. He was one of the few who, when I shook his firm hand, I had to actually as well as figuratively look up to, and I truly did. So many of us carry that bit of Steve with us and are better to the world for it. "
"It was an honor to have known Steve as a colleague and friend. Even though we did not work together a lot his charisma, humor and collegiality were obvious. His work here at Mayo will surely be remembered by many here and certainly myself. What a loss to all but be comforted in knowing that his love was returned to him in many ways. Neil Kay"
"I am deeply sorrowful at the passing of Dr. Zeldenrust. I had the pleasure and privilege of serving as a team member in the care of hospitalized Hematology patients during my tenure as a PA for Hospital Internal Medicine. He had an outsized personality, was multi-talented, proud of his family, extremely intelligent and spiritual. He will no doubt be missed by his family, colleagues and patients. Godspeed."
"My deepest condolences. Dr. Zeldenrust was one our awesome fellows who was then hired by Hematology. He was such a kind, humorous, and wonderful man. One of the nicest and most personable, most humble fellows/staff who always shared a smile, friendly hello, and whom cared about his patients. He was very proud of Deb and his children. My heart goes out to the family. Prayers. "
"I will always remember Dr. Z and Mrs. Z for their always opening of their home for us soccer guys from Schaeffer to hang out. Dr. Z was always genuinely interested in our lives and progress in growing up. He had a genuine joy and concern for other people that was very evident to me."
"I?m so sorry to learn about Steve?s passing, Deb. I met him when you brought him in to our painting class. I remember his kindness, and I was impressed at how supportive he was in your endeavors. Prayers for your family. "
"My husband, Darryl (Hoss) Moyer was a patient of Dr. Zeldenrust in 2005 when being treated for Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Zeldenrust?s caring and compassion got us through an auto stem cell transplant and saved my husband?s life. My husband passed away on June 22, 2019 from an unrelated illness. We were so honored to have Dr. Zeldenrust on our team because it was his expertise that allowed us to spend 15 more years together. I am praying for your family as you grieve the loss and celebrate his life. God bless your family. "
"Thoughts and prayers are with the whole Zeldenrust family. He always brightened up our secretarial office in Hematology with his visits. He was a caring and genuine man who always made you feel good about yourself and the job that you were doing. He was a truly gifted man who touched so many hearts and lives. We thank the good Lord for putting him in our presence and allowing us to be a part of his journey, as he truly was a gift from God. RIP, Dr. Zeldenrust. You will be missed and never replaced--one in a million!"
""The man, the myth, the legend" is how we addressed each other with a bow, every time we covered cancer inpatient night calls together. "Dr. Z" as he was fondly known, and I shared many deep conversations and I learned from him, the invaluable meaning of appreciating a million little things in our lives, change of perspectives and finding a new normal of living life with cancer to the fullest and loving all who care about you, along the way. Farewell Steve, for I will miss your kindness, your warm smile, that firm handshake and above all your larger than life example of grit and resilience. Your memory will always echo as "The man, the myth, the legend"...... My deepest and heartfelt condolences to the Zeldenrust family. You are in our prayers. Sincerely, Ahsan Rizvi"
"I sat across from Dr. Zeldenrust's secretary in Hematology for many years. I always enjoyed his stories when he would be back at her desk. He was a very special man and will be missed by many. "
"I am sad to hear of Steve's passing. He was a Track & Field teammate at Munster High School back in 1978. A good athlete, Steve learned to run the high hurdles quickly. What impressed me the most about Steve is this... While he was clearly stronger and smarter than most kids, he was a humble and friendly teammate who was liked by everyone he met. "
"Steve was a wonderful cousin! Had a lot of fun in our younger days! Prayers for all of the family!"
"Steve will be sorely missed. He was always a calm and comforting physician who never said no to help his patients and colleagues. He was a quintessential Mayo physician. Our deepest condolences to his family. "