"Steve was an amazing friend. I will always remember him teaching my how to detassle, my 1st fishing trip to Canada and he thought me how to play cribbage. When I was gone to military school we had a bee problem and Steve helped my wife get rid of them. He was always there when you needed him. Condolences to the family. "
In loving memory of
Stephen Vinson
January 29, 1941 - April 25, 2020
Stephen Charles Vinson, 79, of Boone, Iowa, passed away from complications due to progressive supranuclear palsy on Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Stratford Specialty Care in Stratford, Iowa.
Steve was born on January 29, 1941 in Gaylord, Minnesota, to Lester and Martha (Quast) Vinson. The family moved to Stratford, Iowa, when Steve was 8 years old. He attended Stratford Community School and graduated in 1959. On May 23, 1963, Steve enlisted in the Iowa National Guard and served for six years while also working his civilian job as a barber at Arlo's Barber Shop. On November 13, 1965, he married Sylvia Dianne Truman. They resided in Granger, Iowa, until the summer of 1980 when they moved into their house that Steve and a friend built in Boone. Steve re-enlisted in the Iowa National Guard on May 19, 1973, and worked there full-time until his retirement on January 29, 2001.
Steve was a strong athlete in high school and excelled in baseball and basketball. He was a life-long sports fan and was a big Cubs fan. He enjoyed attending sporting events at Iowa State and Drake University. Steve enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities and spending time with family and friends. He had a good sense of humor and a hearty laugh. He enjoyed working on puzzles and was always excited to display them when he was done. Steve had a great time playing board games and cards at gatherings with family and friends. He was very competitive when playing cards and was ruthless when playing Hearts. Several of his hobbies included hunting, fishing, and Morel mushroom hunting. He enjoyed hunting both pheasants and quail. When it came to fishing, it didn't matter the time of year or location, he was always ready to go. He enjoyed ice fishing, trips to fish in Canada, and even just an afternoon fishing at the river. Steve went on many fishing trips to Canada with friends and family where they made a lot of fun memories. Steve had a major sweet tooth; he loved desserts and ice cream, especially butterscotch or caramel malts. He also enjoyed shingling roofs and doing handyman projects on the side.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sylvia Dianne, in 1984; and his brother, Joe Vinson. He is survived by his son, Michael (Kristin) Vinson of Roland; two grandchildren, Dana and Braden Vinson; sister, Susanne (Trevor) Carlson of Stratford; sister-in-law, Phyllis Vinson of Marshalltown; brother-in-law, William "Bud" Truman (Kristie) of Ames, sister-in-law Connie Bergman (Alan) of Ames, many nieces and nephews, and other extended family and friends.
A memorial service followed by a luncheon and fellowship will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Stratford Lutheran Church in Stratford, Iowa. Burial will be immediately following the service at South Marion Cemetery outside of Stratford.
A special thank you to the staff at The Waterford Assisted Living in Ames, Stratford Specialty Care, and Specialty Care Hospice for their care and support.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"So sorry to hear about Steve. I worked with Steve in the National Guard, he was a great guy and cared for everyone. Prayers to his family."
"Steve was a high school classmate. He was always active in sports and was a most good fellow."
"So very sorry to hear of Steve's death. Will always remember him from the barber shop. He and Arlo were both great at cutting my sons hair and used to have so much fun teasing our son Kurt. He was only about 4 and used to have to carry him out after Steve's story of a lion being in the storage room at the bottom of the stairs. He also roofed our house along with his nephew Adam. What a great man he was. Hugs and Prayers, Martha Hilsabeck"
"Our condolences to the family for your loss. He was a close personal friend of my mom?s for 30 plus years. For my kids, time spent at Grandma?s in Boone usually included a couple of outings with Steve and usually one of those was a trip to Hickory Park for ice cream."
"Too bad his girlfriend Joyce wasn't allowed to see him and provide support to Steve during his illness. They were dear friends."
"Steve was a great guy. I have known him since he worked for Arlo. He use to stop by my parents house just to say hi. We list a good one with Steve."
"Mike, My condolences for your loss. -Steve Schallehn & Family"
"He was a very good ping pong player! Ask Donnie Bergman!"
"I will certainly miss Steve! he was a great friend to my family, including being our best man and giving my son his first haircut! When my husband was deployed, Steve made sure that Isaac and I got out to dinner and ISU basketball games. He always enjoyed when we'd drop off chocolate chip cookies. Much sympathy to Mike and family. "
"My sympathy goes out to Steve?s family. I?ll always remember the fishing trips we went on to Canada and hunting with him and working with him at the Guard. "
"He was a wonderful friend all through our school years. Rest in peace!!"
"Thinking of you all at this time. I hope all your fond memories will ease your sadness. I remember Steve's smile although it has been many years. Prayers sent, God bless . "