Steven Edward Cegla

STEVEN EDWARD CEGLA January 19, 1956 - April 1, 2015 Steven Edward Cegla, age 59, a long time Park Rapids, MN area resident, peacefully passed from this life to eternal life on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at CHI St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids with his mother and special friend at his side. Steve was born on January 19, 1956 in St. Paul, MN to Edward and Ruth (Schoenrock) Cegla. He attended public school in Centerville, MN before going on to attend high school in Circle Pines, MN. As a young man, Steve ventured west and made his home in Desert Hot Springs, CA for a number of years. While there, Steve earned a great deal of respect for his skillful work and dedication to the Elks Lodge #2639. He served as their chaplain and to this day, a large metal barbeque that he fabricated for them stands as a monument to his dedication to the lodge. He spent many evenings over a hot fire, barbequing his popular steaks for the club's membership. Steve was also gifted with a green thumb and looked forward each spring to planting a large garden, which he nurtured into fruitful abundance to share his tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans sweet corn and more with his friends from the Elks Lodge, American Legion or VFW. Everyone loved him for his generous and kind spirit. He returned to Minnesota where he worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator in the logging and construction industries. His main body of work was done in Minnesota and Iowa. Steve had a knack for building and welding just about anything he set his mind to. He had very high standards and made sure his work was perfect in every detail. He also kept everything because he felt someday he could use it to help build or repair something. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish and take his mother out for rides in his four-wheeler or pontoon. He had a deep respect and love for wildlife and enjoyed feeding and watching the deer, birds and other wildlife that graced his mother's lake property. He was also a gifted cook who was well known for his delicious beer batter recipe which he kept top secret. He enjoyed smoking different kinds of sausage and would always have racks and racks of sausage ready to smoke. He was a masterful story teller and could hold his friends in deep suspense or in out-of-control laughter with his stories. Steve will be remembered for his generosity, his friendship and his ability to make sure everyone had fun. His memory will be cherished by his precious mother, Ruth Freeman of Park Rapids and his father, Edward Cegla of Moose Lake, MN; his special friend and soul mate for these past 11 years, Cleo Job of Hawley, MN; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Roxzene Olson who died one year ago, March 28th; his maternal grandparents, Art and Meta Schoenrock and paternal grandparents, Tony and Lillian Cegla; his aunt Martha Cegla and Uncle Bernard Cegla. Services will be held 11 AM Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with visitation beginning at 10 AM. The active urnbearer will be Cleo Job and the honorary casket bearers will be: Jim Kramer, Ray Krouse, John Kramer, Walt Kubat, Ken Pierce and Melvin Hoseth. Following the service a luncheon will be hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary at the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post in Park Rapids.