Stephen Leo Bohlen

Stephen Leo Bohlen, age 71, passed away on June 2, 2024 at the Israel Family Hospice House after his battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11 AM at Cornerstone Church in Ames, IA.

Stephen was born on December 14, 1952 to Leo and Neva (Dean) Bohlen. He grew up in Danville, Iowa, and attended Danville High School. As the oldest son he had many responsibilities on the Bohlen dairy farm and spent his youth working hard milking cows, bailing hay, and helping neighbors. Outside of the farm he enjoyed playing different sports and spent time with friends and his many extended family members.

Steve received an Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Community College before going on to get his Bachelor of Arts from Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, IA.

Steve met Valerie Chubb during his time at Southeastern Community College in a psychology class. He asked her to sit by him and she knew right away that she could marry him “because he went to church.” They loved to spend time together at the farm and with family and dated for three years before marrying on August 9, 1975.

Steve and Val’s early marriage was spent in Mount Pleasant, Iowa while they finished school and Steve worked at Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institution. They later moved to Richmond, Virginia where Steve worked for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Their two children, Stephanie and Ryan, were born while living in Virginia. Steve and his family moved back to Iowa when his dad needed help on the dairy farm. Because of health reasons he transitioned away from the farm and became the stay-at-home parent for his kids and thus developed an incredibly close relationship with them both.

Steve loved to golf with Ryan and also enjoyed building custom golf clubs for himself and others. He and Stephanie bonded over good conversation and big hugs. He was a constant presence at his kids’ sports and activities.

Steve later received his Master's Degree in counseling from Liberty University and held various jobs such as at Team Restoration, his own private counseling practice and then was one of the first professional counselors at Cornerstone Counseling Center in Ames, Iowa. Steve found great joy in helping others with mental health, marital issues and much more. He touched endless lives with his wisdom, discernment, compassion, and kindness.

Steve held many leadership roles at whatever church they called home from Elder and Small Group Leader to leading others through Grief Share and Growing Kids God’s Way. He was passionate about sharing God’s word and bringing others to know the Lord.

He enjoyed shooting skeet, trap, and five-stand – he had great camaraderie with his gun club crew and often thought of it as a ministry. Steve loved watching football and attending garage sales with Val. But his greatest joy was spending time with his kids and grandkids. He knew each of their favorite treats and got great pleasure from enjoying them together. He attended their local sporting events and live-streamed the ones he couldn’t be at.

Stephen is survived by his wife Valerie, daughter and son-in-law Stephanie and Jared Van Cleave, son and daughter-in-law Ryan and Dana Bohlen, six beloved grandchildren; Brenna, Lauren & Abby Van Cleave and Jacob, Emily & Maren Bohlen, sister Debra Scopel, brother Brad (Maureen) Bohlen, sister-in-law Becky Bohlen, sister-in-law Jan Parris, brother-in-law Ken (Pat) Chubb, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Neva Bohlen, sister Barbara Hanson, brother Forrest Bohlen, brother-in-law Jerry Hanson, brother-in-law Victor Scopel, brother-in-law Steve Parris, and grandchildren Hannah and Gabriel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to Cornerstone Church to support those in need of professional counseling; a memorial has been set up in Steve’s name.