Stephen Carter Rupert was born January 7, 1934, in Concordia, Kansas to Leonard and Ethel (Carter) Rupert. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on Friday, January 31, 2020, at the Ottawa County Health Center in Minneapolis, Kansas, at the age of 86 years and 24 days.
He graduated from Minneapolis High School and attended Kansas State College.
On May 22, 1955, Steve was united in marriage to Donna C. Krizek at the First Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. After they married, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, and worked until he was drafted and served in the military. Following Steve’s discharge from the military, they moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, where he owned and operated a Mobile gas station. After the birth of their first daughter, they chose to move back to Ottawa County to raise their family. It was here that Steve and Donna farmed and raised cattle for the next 60 years.
Steve was active through the years in Young Kansas Jaycees, Mason Shriners, School Board ,he acted as Trustee and Elder at the First Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association and National Beef Association.
Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Donna in 2006; his parents; his brother, Ivan Rupert; sister, Gertrude Holland; sisters-in-law, Maggie (Marvin) Lindsey, Margaret Chapman, and Marie Darrow.
Survivors include two daughters, Valerie Crum of Minneapolis and Charlene (J) Trost of Concordia; five grandchildren, Shelly (Chris) Stone, Stacy (Markel) Maybin, Brandan (Clarisa) Crum, Jeremy (Kristi) Adams, Wade (Amanda) Adams; two step grandchildren, Jason (Shayla) Trost and Andrea (Craig) Boeglin; eight great-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Miya Rupert; and many nieces and nephews. Steve is also survived by his dear friend and companion, Vergene McCullick.
Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 5 at the First Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 4 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis, where family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be made to Ottawa County Health Center or First Presbyterian Church and left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467.