Stephen P. Wick

Surrounded by his family, Stephen Price Wick’s long goodbye was over on November 7, 2025, at Family Roots Eldercare in Plainview, Minnesota at the age of 78. Steve was born to Severt & Vivian Wick, in Duluth, Minnesota on November 11, 1946. Steve grew up on his family farm in Saginaw, Minnesota. He graduated from Proctor High School and UMD with a degree in Earth Science. On November 5, 1966 he married the love of his life, Trudy Markle and they lived happily together 59 years.

The early years of their marriage brought Steve and Trudy from Duluth to Wabasha, Minnesota where Steve took a job teaching middle school earth science. His whole life he commented on how much he enjoyed his students. In 1980 Steve decided to leave the teaching profession to run his own business renting houseboats at Great River Harbor located in Alma, Wisconsin. He and Trudy and their two children have many memories working and running this business together. In his retirement years, Steve drove semi over the lower 48 and often brought Trudy to explore new places. Unfortunately, all the places they dreamed of going back to explore, was cut short when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Steve fiercely loved his family. He often bragged how much he loved his wife and how lucky he was, she picked him. His favorite times were the times he got to spend with his grand kids and great grand kids. He loved to tease them and make them laugh.

He loved the outdoors, spent hours and hours fishing and boating on the mighty Mississippi, he liked cross country skiing in the winter on his family farm, hiking in the woods and picking up rocks, especially agates. Steve enjoyed cutting wood and hauling it home, because “it warms you twice.” Steve’s favorite motto was “to live simply” and he did.

Steve is survived by his loving wife Trudy; his daughter Tracy (John) McCormick and their children, Abbie (James) McGee, Laura Buckman (Jake Markgraf), Marissa (Sam) Pollock and Alex (Emma) McCormick; his son Terry (Liz) Wick and their children, Ashley, Connor and Logan Wick; 7 great-grandchildren, Carson, Vaeda and Everlie McGee, Mila and Maverick Pollock, Indy McCormick and Adalyn Wick; 2 sisters, Marlys Paulsen and Inez Wick; 2 brothers, Warren (Prudy) Wick and Darrel (Jessie) Wick; one sister-in-law Francine (Gary) Carlson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother-in-law Trygve Paulsen.

A celebration of life will take place at 11 am on Saturday, November 15, at First Congregational Church in Lake City. Friends and family may call 1 hour before the service. A private burial will be at a later date at Lakewood Cemetery.

The family would like to thank everyone at Family Roots Eldercare for the excellent, dignified, peaceful care he received in his last days on this earth. It touched our hearts and we appreciate what you do. You make the world a better place.