Steve Tjelmeland

Steve was born on August 18, 1960 in Story County, Iowa. He was raised by William and Donajene (Kent) Tjelmeland in the Roland Macksburg area. Steve's family later moved to Afton, Iowa where he graduated high school in 1979. Steve met Deborah Bain-Irving and her two children, Travis and Emily, in 1990. Steve and Deb were together ten years before their marriage on February 14, 2000. Their married life was spent in the Chariton area. Steve loved Deb's children as his own and was a very active grandpa to his three grandchildren. Steve was very devoted to his family and to his mother, Donajene. Steve made a living working for ConAgra Foods as a truck driver and warehouse manager. Steve loved baseball. He played minor league baseball for the Triple-A team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. He also had a great love for farming. Although he didn't farm, Steve collected farm toys and spent countless hours working in the yard and among his flowerbeds. He enjoyed spending time out in the yard with his grandchildren. Steve loved his pets and all animals. All those who new him well know that he always had his pop with him. Steve will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife Deborah Tjelmeland; mother, Donajene Tjelmeland; children, Travis Irving and Emily (Michael) Kluender; grandchildren: Gavin, Evan and Aubrey; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Steve was preceded in death by his father, William Tjelmeland; grandmother, Fern Howell; father-in-law, Claude Bain; and brother-in-law, James Bain. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Burial will be in Zoar Cemetery in Cainsville, Missouri. A Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be used at a later date to honor Stephan's memory.