MADELIA–Steven “Steve” Craig Cunningham of Madelia, MN passed away peacefully at home at the age of 75 on July 20, 2024 due to an infection on his artificial heart valve.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Madelia and will continue on Friday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the church. Service will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Madelia, on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00 am. The clergy will be Rev. Janet Adams. A private interment will be at the Riverside Cemetery in Madelia at a later date. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia, Minnesota. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Steve was born on March 29, 1949 to J.T. and Ruth Cunningham. He was the fourth of seven children and grew up on the family farm outside of Madelia. It was on the farm that he learned most of life’s most valuable lessons; ambition, drive, hard work, caring for animals and the importance of family. He attended Madelia High School where he participated in football, basketball and track and field. He even held a high school record for discus for many many years. Following High School, he attended Mankato State University in Mankato, before deciding that he wanted to return home to start farming. It was during this time that he would meet his future wife Lavonne (Stordahl). Steve and LaVonne were married on July 28, 1973 and started their life together in Madelia. Madelia was great to them over the course of his life. In the early years Steve enjoyed playing baseball in the town league and spending time with friends and family. In his spare time, he enjoyed driving around and looking at crops, talking to people that still farmed and inspecting the pond project. Steve was active in the Madelia community throughout his life. He participated on many boards; 4-H, Ag Chamber, LaSalle Farmers Grain/Crystal Valley Coop, LaSalle Meat Locker and Trinity Lutheran Church Council.

Family meant everything to Steve, he was blessed with three wonderful daughters and seven grandchildren. His grandchildren provided him so much joy and he loved watching and participating in their many activities over the course of the years. He truly was their biggest fan!

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, J.T. and Ruth Cunningham; father-in-law, Helmer Stordahl; sister, Roberta Boelter; brother, Dave Cunningham; great-nephew, Rylan Miller. He is survived by his wife of almost 51 years, LaVonne and their three daughters and spouses: Carissa (Troy Spencer) of Lakeville, Shelley (Lance Dagel) of Madelia and Hayley (Steve Tang) of Chaska; his grandchildren, Delaney & Taylin Spencer, Cora, Chloe & Charlie Dagel and Bennett & Chelsea Tang. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Jannie (Rich McCabe) of Olivia, Jerry (Toni) of Rochester, George (Jody) of Madelia, Jeff (Dawn) of Lakeville; brothers-in-law, David (Nancy) Stordahl of Menomonie, WI, Virgil (Hazel) Boelter of Lakeshore; mother-in-law, Margaret Stordahl of Madelia, many nieces and nephews and great friends throughout his lifetime.

In lieu of flowers, please direct your donations to the following organizations: American Heart Association, Living Meadows Nursing Home, Madelia or Riverside Cemetery, Madelia.

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