Stephen Grages

Stephen John Grages, father of two and a native of Montevideo, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 8, 2023, at his home at the age of 38.

Memorial services will be held Friday, December 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Pastor Jeff Fitzkappes officiating.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

In memory of Stephen, memorials are preferred to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the U.S.O., and Toys for Tots.

Arrangements are with Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home of Montevideo.  www.andersontebeest.com

Steve Grages was born June 13, 1985, in Iowa City, IA to Arlan and Karla (Janssen) Grages.  He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bennett, IA.  He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo.  He attended Montevideo Senior High School where he graduated in 2004.  After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota where he was a crew member on the University Rowing Team.  He then attended Southwest Minnesota State University.  Steve was united in marriage to Laura Rubenzer on May 28, 2016, and to this union his two sons were born, Ethan and Henry.  He passed his Series 7 exam and his securities licensure and worked various jobs in finance until returning home to Montevideo to follow in his father’s footsteps working for Edward Jones.  He was extremely proud of his career, and loved serving and advising his clients in the community he grew up.

Steve was a dutiful member of both the Montevideo Chamber of Commerce and the Montevideo Lions Club, where he served on the executive board of both, and was the current President of the Lions.  He loved watching sports, especially the University of Minnesota Gophers, the Kansas Jayhawks, and the Minnesota Vikings.  Steve also loved being outdoors, whether it was skiing in the winter, being at the lake in the summer, or hunting in the fall.  He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed having political debates.  Most of all, Steve loved spending time with his boys, Ethan and Henry, and was very proud to be a father.

He is survived by his sons, Ethan & Henry Grages; his parents, Arlan & Karla Grages; his brothers and their wives, Andrew & Melisa Grages of Colorado Springs, CO, Tom & Alyssa Grages of Arlington, VA, and Dan & Alana Grages of Horace, ND; his nieces and nephews, Eleanor, Abram, Eriq, Benny, and Lukas; the mother of his children, Laura Rubenzer; and his numerous extended family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.

He will be severely missed by his family, his friends, and all who knew him.  Blessed be his memory.