Cover photo for Steven Papka's Obituary
Steven Papka Profile Photo
1955 Steven 2012

Steven Papka

February 24, 1955 — December 28, 2012

Steven Papka, 57, of Wahpeton, ND, died peacefully at his home on Friday, December 28, 2012, surrounded by friends and family after a short, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A Funeral Service will be 2:00 PM, Friday, January 4, at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the Funeral Home. Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton is in charge of arrangements.

Steve was born on February 24, 1955, in Brookings, SD, the son of Duane and Wilma (Heath) Papka. He lived in Brookings until 1962 when he family moved to Browns Valley, MN. They relocated to Breckenridge, MN in 1973. Steve attended Breckenridge High School and graduated in 1974.

Steve worked various small jobs until becoming employed at Thulen's Meat Market in Breckenridge, for 8 years. In 1981, he was hired at 3M/Imation where he was employed for 25 years. In 2008, after the plant closure announcement, Steve was hired at Hankinson Renewable Energy where he was currently employed. In 1977 he married Kathryn Joan Thorson and raised three beautiful daughters. In 1994 he was united in marriage to Paula jean (Thoreson) and together raised 2 wonderful sons.

Steve was known for his great sense of humor and his artistic imagination. He was a hard working and dedicated employee and always put forth his best efforts which gained respect of his peers. He had a thirst for knowledge, especially when it came to history and astronomy. Steve enjoyed gardening/bonsai, drawing/painting, computers, and refurbishing old floor radios. He was a collector of various items, from Star Trek spaceship ornaments to comic books to music memorabilia. He was an avid music fan an dedicated many hours to his immense collections. Steve never went anywhere without a music source in his pocket.

He will be missed by his wife, Paula, Wahpeton; three daughters, Nikki (Jason) Solheim, Fargo; Heidi (Travis) Bruns, Alexandria, MN; Misti Giroux, Kerby, OR; his two sons, Julian Papka and Zachary Papka, both of Wahpeton; seven grandchildren: Jasmine, Logan, Addison, Morgan, Dreyus, Maizi, and Toby; his mother, Wilma (Heath) Papka, Breckenridge, MN; brothers, Marc Papka, Breckenridge, MN; Michael Papka, Bismarck, ND; and his sisters, Duana (ED) Meidinger, Jamestown, ND; Lisa (Gene) Parrow, Britton, SD, and DeAnna Rettig, Oakes, ND; his father-in-law, David (Colleen) Thoreson, Sarona, WI; his mother-in-law, Karen Nelson, Big Stone City, SD; his close friend, Dave Lindstrom, Wahpeton, ND and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Duane Papka, and his brothers, Ricky and Randy Papka.

Visitation

Willow Creek Chapel
920 3rd Ave North
Wahpeton, ND 58075

Friday, January 4, 2013
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Service

Willow Creek Chapel
920 3rd Ave North
Wahpeton, ND 58075

Friday, January 4, 2013
2:00 PM

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Steven Papka, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 14

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree