Gerald Stevens

Gerald Stevens, 95, of rural Saint James, died on March 30, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held 11:00a.m., Monday, April 6, 2026, at Albion Lutheran Church in rural Saint James with visitation from 10:00a.m. to 11:00a.m., at the church. Interment will take place at Albion Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Albion Cemetery Fund, Church Radio Fund, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Walter Gerald Stevens was born March 16, 1931, in a farmhouse in Jackson County, Minnesota. He was the son of Walter and Myrtle (Johnson) Stevens. He graduated from Bingham Lake High School. Gerald was united in marriage to Betty Bottem on September 29, 1951, at Albion Lutheran Church, rural Saint James, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2021 before her passing. Gerald Stevens was a lifelong farmer, who experienced the progress of farming with horses to computerized equipment. He held leadership roles in several organizations, with REA being his passion for 30 years. During his retirement years, Gerald traveled to Arizona and California with Betty. Gerald was a man of faith who enjoyed bird watching, fishing, and family events. Traditions of family vacations to Spider Lake and Christmas day gatherings at the farm were highlights. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much, and he will be dearly missed.

Gerald is survived by his 6 children, Sandra (Jim) Spitzner of Prior Lake, Judy (Gene) Lindquist of Saint James, Vickie (Roger) Janzen of Waconia, Wayne (Corinne) Stevens of New Ulm, Barb (Joel) Blaschko of Lakeville, and Warren (Tammy) Stevens of Saint James; 23 grandchildren, Matthew and Kate Spitzner, Kelly Spitzner and Johnny Adamic, Shaun Lindquist, Nathan Lindquist, Derek Lindquist and Abby Malinski, Eric Janzen, Amanda Janzen, Katie and Andrew Harris, Peter and Angie Stevens, Joshua Blaschko and Tess McNamara, Adam Blaschko and Geena Maharaj, Chantel Stevens, Justin and Haley Stevens, and Brady and Hannah Stevens; 20 great-grandchildren, Cooper, Wesley, Killian, and Murdoch Spitzner, Arlo and Sabine Adamic, Darcy and Amber Lindquist, Nora and Ethan Lindquist, Maggie and Oscar Janzen, Gavin and Jayden Harris, Matthew, Lucas, and David Stevens, Ranvir Blaschko, and Grayson and Maverick Stevens; siblings, Maxine (Arvid) Berge, Ron (Karen) Stevens, Larry (Becky) Stevens, Carol Stevens and Bill Kay, and Roger (Belinda) Stevens; brother-in-law, Richard Pilgrim; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; grandson, Andrew Janzen; great-grandson, Lincoln Spitzner; his parents; siblings, Doris (Glenn) Preston, Darrel (Joyce) Stevens, Neva Pilgrim, and Ilene (John) Sharkey; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and LaVern Pearson; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Hazel and Oscar Bottem.