Steven Michael Whalen

Steven M. Whalen went home to Jesus on May 11, 2025 at age 74.

A Celebration of Life will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Crossroad Church, Bemidji. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Steve was born to Leo V. and Marie M. Whalen on July 20, 1950 in St. Peter, MN. He grew up in St. Peter and then moved to Brainerd and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1968. Steve then joined the U.S. Navy. By divine design, he got a medical discharge and met and married Diane Gefroh on August 14, 1971. After graduating from Bemidji State College, Steve taught elementary school in many places in central Minnesota and in 1993 settled in the Bemidji area for the remainder of his life. In addition to being a dedicated and loving spouse and father, Steve’s greatest passion was sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with whoever surrounded him. He had the vision and inspiration to start many prayer groups and played guitar and led worship at church and prayer groups for many years. His favorite scripture was Psalm 133 “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity...” Steve lived for fellowship to his dying breath. And as he shared God’s word with others, he would always say “That’s why they call it Good News!” Besides the love of God’s word, he also loved trivia and won many trivia contests. No one wanted to play trivia against Steve!

Steve is survived by his wife, Diane Whalen of Cass Lake (for 53 years); sons, Jacob (Teresa) Whalen of Sauk Rapids, Steven (Sara) Whalen of New Jersey; daughter, Elizabeth (John) Conant of Georgia; 11 wonderful grandchildren, the joy of his life; sisters, Kate (Alex) Christensen, Peggy (Marti) Vervalen and brother, Brian (Pat) Whalen.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Marie Wahlen; brother, JP Whalen and many special cousins.

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