Stephen Allen Lusch

Stephen “Grizz” Lusch was born in Cody, Wyoming on November 2nd, 1937 to Esther (Crandall) and William “Bill” Lusch. He was the third child, joining his two sisters Barbara and Ramona. When he was 3, they welcomed his baby sister May Joy to complete their family.

As a young boy, Stephen “Tom Sawyer” spent much of his time in the outdoors getting into mischief. When he was 13, the family moved to Dixonville, Alberta where he continued his love of adventures. Stephen spent many years living the life of an outdoorsman in Alberta. He was known for his practical jokes, ornery behaviors and taking his life in his hands by jumping on icebergs as a teenager.

Steve met his wife, Wilma Fern Miller in August, 1960 and they married 3 months later. He has said it was love at first sight and they were married for almost 62 years. Steve and Wilma married on November 5th, 1960 and wasted no time starting their “little” family. Their 4 children were born over the next 5 years, with Sandra born in 1961, Stephen in 1962 and Rebecca and Brenda in 1966. Over the years, Steve and Wilma welcomed many young friends into their home, some who fondly remember them as second parents.

Steve worked in different fields over the years including farming, construction and in the ministry. Some of the best (and scariest) stories come from his years building ice roads on the McKenzie River in the Northwest Territories. The Luschs lived in Canada while the kids were young and moved back to the US in their 50s, where they ran a home for kids and later a private home for the elderly.

Although he has been described as being a character and a rascal, most remember him for being a man of integrity who had a strong faith and belief in his Heavenly Father. He had no fear of leaving this earth and was looking forward to meeting his daughter, parents and others who had gone before him in Heaven.

Steve will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. He will be missed by his immediate family and his large extended family.

He is survived by his 3 sisters, Barbara Stauffer, Ramona (Jim) Johnson and May Joy (Art) Adolphson; and his children, Stephen (Kelly) Lusch, Rebecca (Ross) Watson, Brenda (Gene) Ogle and Ron Uh. He will always be remembered as Pappa, Pappa Honey and Big Pappa by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a favorite uncle to so many nieces, nephews and community.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Esther and Bill and by his eldest daughter, Sandra Gail Uh.

We will especially miss his story telling – there was nothing better than sitting around a campfire when you would see that twinkle in his eyes and that smirk come to his face and you knew a story was coming.

A Celebration of Stephen’s Life will be held when the family can come together. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to One Child Fund for the work with Ukrainian orphanages that was close to his heart at https://globalcogop.org/donate.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family, via the website: www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.