Mark E. Stevermer

Mark E. Stevermer, 92, Shawnee, Kansas, died at home July 26, 2010 with his family at his side.

Mark Stevermer was born on June 27,1918, in his family home at Trails End Farm near Easton, Minnesota. At an early age he exhibited a lifelong passion for all things mechanical, particularly Buick automobiles. He became an automotive mechanics instructor and had the rare gift in life of loving his job. Every time he opened a car hood he found a new and interesting challenge awaiting him.

He joined the US Army in 1940 and served through World War II. He was later recalled to active duty during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1951. Mark's military service was at Fort Benning, GA where he was in charge of the Motor Pool, as well as automotive instructor for military personnel. He achieved the rank of Warrant Officer. Later, when asked by a grandson about life in the Army, Mark told him, "Nobody likes it. You just do it."

He was also fortunate to marry the love of his life, Vivian Caldwell Stevermer in 1941. They started married life at Fort Benning, where the first three of his nine children were born. After his discharge, they made their home in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he taught at Dunwoody Institute. He began working for Buick Motor Division in 1952 as a Service Representative, and subsequently an automotive mechanics instructor. In1955 he was transferred by Buick from Chicago to Shawnee, Kansas.

He and Vivian loved to travel and were delighted and proud to visit all 50 states in the US. They traveled to Mexico and Europe as well. They went on their first canoe trip with family when they were in their mid sixties, even though they could not swim. In their 70's, they happily completed their first 5k hike at 5000 ft. elevation at Apache Pass, Arizona.

His penchant for mechanical analysis and love of tools and machinery was exhibited in his description of trip highlights. These included observations of the emissions testing of cars in Mexico City, locks filling and emptying on Midwestern waterways, and the abandoned tractors he encountered in Alaska. He continued working and puttering on all things mechanical after retirement. He loved mentoring and sharing knowledge with those who showed an interest, and even with those who did not. His encyclopedic memory of every car he worked on served him well in his line of work.

His sense of thrift and frugality developed during his teenage years in the 1930's and was exhibited in his talent for analyzing and pinpointing a mechanical problem in the least expensive way. He in fact loved the challenge of spending the least amount of money to fix a complicated and difficult problem.

Mark took loving care of his wife Vivian for several years prior to her death. When asked if he was holding up, he replied, "She took good care of me my entire life, now it's my turn." Mark was strong, active and stoic throughout his life.

Mark continued to travel to visit children and grandchildren, even as recently as a trip to Wisconsin in June of this year. He spent most of the past winter traveling in Texas to avoid the cold weather. He relished the experience of seeing new places and novel machinery.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents Edward B. Stevermer and Elizabeth (Weaver) Stevermer, and brothers Gene, Alan, John and Bernard; his wife of 64 years, Vivian, his daughter Beth Paula Finn, his sons Brian Mark and Mark David.

He is survived by his brother Neil Stevermer Mankato, Minnesota and sisters Marjie (Milton) Hansen, Long Lake, Minnesota, and Joanne (Tom) Gorman, Waconia, Minnesota; sons Douglas Edward (Jeanne), LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Richard Anthony (Mary), Overland Park, Kansas, Kim Owen (Mary), Shawnee, Kansas, Edward Paul, Gardner, Kansas; daughters Kaye Lovie, Prairie Village, Kansas, Lynda Mae Beinlich (Eric), St.Paul, Minnesota; and son-in-law William (Beth Paula) Finn. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as follows: grandson William Finn Jr, (Nohemi) and great-grandchildren William III, Emiliano, Cualtomec, El Paso, Texas; grandson Steven Finn (Hilda), great-grandchildren Priscilla, Andrew, Isabel, El Paso, Texas; grandson Casey Finn (Raquel), great-grandchildren Alexander, Kansas City, Missouri, Casey Jr, Hannah, El Paso, Texas; granddaughters, Maria Finn, and Betsey Finn, Sausalito, California; granddaughter Kari Kelly Merk, (Brian), great granddaughters Anna and Audrey, Denver, Colorado; daughter-in-law Helen Stevermer (Mark D.), grandson Harrison; granddaughter Julia, Leawood, Kansas; granddaughter (Douglas) Heather, Rochester, Minnesota; grandson Marc; granddaughter Margo, Rochester, Minnesota, great-granddaughters Sarah, Gloria, Gracie, Della, Rochester, Minnesota; grandson Dustin, Naval Station, Chicago, Illinois; granddaughter (Lynda) Catherine Cronemeyer, St. Paul, Minnesota; granddaughter Alexis Beinlich, St. Paul, Minnesota; granddaughter (Richard) Melodie (Chris) Saterfield, Olathe, Kansas; granddaughter Shannon McComb, Overland Park, Kansas; grandson (Kim) Owen; grandson Gene; and granddaughter Klara, Shawnee, Kansas.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and St. Joseph Catholic Church. He enjoyed his participation in US TOO and the Parallel Parkinson Support Group.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Village Communities and Group Home, 14150 W. 113th Street, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66215

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee; the Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., at the chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 29, 2010, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee, Kansas. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kansas.