Steve Emerson Stephens

Steve Emerson Stephens, age 86, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2024, in St. George, Utah, surrounded by his loving children. Steve was born Feb. 9, 1938, in Ogden, Utah, to Franklin Emerson Stephens and Frances June Crawford Stephens.

Steve married Mary Jean Bloomquist on Oct. 11, 1986, in Park City, Utah.

Steve was a proud member of the Utah Air National Guard for 32 years. He loved to fly and travel the world. He retired from Williamsen Truck and Body in 1984 to fly fulltime for the last four years of his military service. He enjoyed motorcycles and was a member of the Salt Lake Motorcycle Club for many years. His Honda Goldwing was a show piece, winning many awards including best in show in 1985. In retirement he enjoyed living in St. George and golfing as much as possible.

Steve married his first wife, Marion Ruth Pontius, and had four children, Rick, Sherry, Connie, and Michael. After divorcing, Steve married Marian Baird and helped raise Brad and Nancy Ballard. After a second divorce, Steve found his solo mate and married Mary Jean Bloomquist and helped raise Robin and David Wirtanen. Mary also had three older sons, Stephen, Gordon, and Todd. In his later years Steve was adopted by his St. George family, Dustin Lake, Breighn Bendall, and her children, Kaileigh, Brexstyn, and Cruz. Although not traditional, Steve had a beautiful mosaic of a loving family.

Steve is survived by his sister Frances Petersen and her husband Duane Petersen, sister-in-law Rachael Stephens, sons and daughters Rick Stephens, Sherry Burke, Michael Stephens, Brad Ballard, Nancy Ballard, Robin Keller, David Wirtanen, Steven Koen, Gordon Koen, and Todd Koen, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Steve is preceded in death by his father Franklin Emerson Stephens, his mother Frances June Stephens, wives Marion Ruth Pontius Doxey, Marian Baird, and Mary Jean Bloomquist, brother Jerry Stephens, and daughter Connie Stephens.

Services will be held June 3 at 12:30 PM at Larkin Mortuary in Riverton (3688 W 12600 S, Riverton, UT), with a viewing prior at 12:00 PM. Interment following the service at 2:00 PM at the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park (17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, UT).

To watch a zoom recording of the service, please click on the tab above that says "Watch Service" or follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/XqWvKnIV-aEUuzXF_KxmLczmK2OPvmAahNCTPixnUBlwfSkFjaiqOKjubczHKxU1.73T-BeNIBIAR1GJm?startTime=1717430383000