Stephen "Steve" Grams

Stephen C. "Steve" Grams, 73, died March 6, 2025, at home in St. Peter, Minn., surrounded by his immediate family and support by dear family and friends from near and far.

Open visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 10, at St. Peter Funeral Home - Klein Chapel (906 N. Washington Avenue, St. Peter). A prayer service with readings will be held at 1, followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery, St. Peter. To view the service livestream, visit his obituary at www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Steve was born in St. Cloud, Minn., on Feb. 23, 1952, to Joseph and Alma Grams. He was the second of six children, and in the Grams family's 1870s-era house, that meant three boys in one bedroom, three girls in the attic and loving but raucous dinners at 5:30 p.m. sharp.

But Steve's life came to an abrupt crossroads in 1967 at the age of 15, when a wrestling accident in his high school P.E. class left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, resulting in him being a quadriplegic.

Determination, loving and encouraging support, an educational opportunity (Rehab), brought not only 58 more years of life for him, but also 58 more years of love, great fellowship and gruff good humor for us all.

There were hardships aplenty, starting with the seven months Steve spent in the hospital after his accident. And in the decades before ramps, curb cuts and accessible bathrooms, every adventure in and out of his home presented challenges for him and his wheelchair.

But starting with college at Southwest State - the only accessible school in Minnesota at the time - Steve lived by the mantra, "Challenges overcome." He'd be the first to give great credit to Barb, his Southwest State classmate who became his girlfriend, fiancée and then wife of 51 extraordinary years.

If the accident was one of the worst things that happened to Steve, he'd be quick to share Barb - she'll skoff when she reads this, but Barb, it's the truth - was one of the best, a Saint!

Steve spent his career working for the state, first as a business manager at the Minnesota Department of Corrections' Thistledew Camp in Togo, Minn., then in managerial posts at the Willmar and St. Peter regional treatment centers.

He served on the Minnesota State Disabilities Board as a statewide advocate for people with disabilities. He was a longtime member of the Saint Peter Choir, a coach for 2 years at his grandsons robotics club, and the Minnesota Baha'i Summer School Committee.

And from 2013 to 2021, Steve served two terms on the St. Peter City Council.

But that history barely scratches the surface. For throughout Steve's adult life, he led by example through his perseverance and personality, directed by the principles of the Baha'i faith and supported by the love of everyone in his circle.

Steve was an educator, inspiring his daughter to become a nurse (with pride he'd share she was thee best of thousands), a sister to become massage therapist, another sister to become a physical therapist, and everyone who knew him to become better people overall.

His vulnerabilities helped others. He used his humor to make connections, bridge any awkwardness and put people, instead, entirely at ease. Anybody and everybody would connect with him, and by doing so, would break the barrier of his wheelchair.

And the reunions when the Grams family would gather from near and far, turned into reminiscing and antidotes of their lives until everyone present, Steve included, would result in uncontrollable tearful laughter! These memories will forever be cherished by all.

Steve was preceded in death by his son, Amiel; his sister, Barbara; his parents, Joe and Alma; his mother-in-law, Arlene Courneya; and his lifelong best friend, Bill Golden. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his daughter, Elissa his grandsons Haydon and Owen Grams, his siblings, Tim, Susan (Bob Prout), Brother-in-law (Clyde Johnson), Vivian (Tom Dennis), Paul, nieces, nephews, "brothers" Jon Strom and Darrell Courneya and amongst beloved cherished friends.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Mankato Area Funeral Homes.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.