Steven Lee Stutzman

Steven Lee Stutzman, 62, of Topeka, KS, went home to be with the Lord on June 1st, 2022. He was at home surrounded by his family. He is the oldest child of Melvin Stutzman and Eva Hershberger, born in 1959 in Indiana. He grew up and went to school in Goshen, IN. He spent many years in fellowship and served in multiple ministries. Rachel Martin became his wife in 1980 and in the next 12 years they were blessed with 7 children. They moved to Topeka, KS in 1990. Steve was very involved in both the community and ministry throughout the last 32 years, continually finding ways to pour into those around him. He worked for the Topeka Rescue Mission and was instrumental in many of the projects there. He was very passionate about missions, and in his generosity supported and donated to countless missionaries, and also went on mission trips himself. His love for those around him showed itself in many ways, evident by the lengths that he would go to serve others when they had needs. His attitude in life inspired countless others not only to better themselves, but to in turn pay forward the help he had given them. His constant desire in all that he did was to help people find a place of love and belonging. From a young age his parents modeled this for him by opening their home and fostering over 30 children through the years. He followed this example in all that he did, and his passion for the lost and forgotten, came through in all aspects of his family, work, and ministry. He had many interests, skills and hobbies, and supplies to start many others that he had the best of intentions for but never quite got started. There is not enough space to list them all. Photography - he enjoyed capturing the world on film, delighted in cameras of both film and digital technology, and planned to start his own dark room with the supplies that were in his attic for many years. He loved to worship the Lord, often by playing the guitar and piano. He was also willing to use the accordion, recorder, or any other instrument he came across that he somehow already knew how to play. His passion for music and worship was something he actively shared and encouraged in the people around him. His delight in thunderstorms is legendary in his family, and a favorite activity was to go watch the storms from the portico around the Supreme Court Building in downtown Topeka. His interest in aviation led to getting his private pilot license and he was working on his instrument flight rating. To be a marine biologist was his dream job, and his collection of shells and specimens was displayed at his home. He was always looking for opportunities to share this love with his grandchildren by going through his collection. One thing on his bucket list he never got to do was to go scuba diving, but he did take the opportunity to go snorkeling whenever it presented itself. He was seemingly undaunted by anything. For example, he became proficient enough at sailing in one training session to pass the skipper test, and the next day took the family out on a sailboat on a lake without any professional assistance. When he returned home from that experience, he was considering purchasing his own sailboat or even a yacht one day as per his usual habit of going all in on whatever his most recent interest was. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, and favorite activities included reading books, playing games, and watching funny videos. A story read by Papaw was not to be missed, as he read in a very expressive way that made any story five times better. Steve was preceded to heaven by his mother, as well as four children and 10 grandchildren who were born asleep. He leaves behind his wife Rachel and their children with their families: Lirie Jade ne Mari Stutzman, Rachel (husband Andy Golden, Levi, Michael, Angela, and Joshua), Joanna (husband Daniel Packard, Benny, Noah, Titus, and Sophie), Katie (husband Jeramie Harper, Ryan, Austen, Chloe, Jaden, and Arin), Benjamin Stutzman (wife Kayla, Jael, Isabella, Braden, Xander, Malakai, and Gideon), Elena (husband Justus Mollenkamp, Raelyn, Alice, Everett, and Rosie), and Marta (husband Cameron Mark). He is also survived by his father Mel, and his siblings Kermit Stutzman and Carla Mathis, all of Goshen, Indiana. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, June 5th at 6pm at the First Assembly of God Church 500 SW 27th St (27th St and Topeka Blvd) Topeka, Kansas 66611. Reception Following from 7-9pm. Live broadcast Open Way Church Facebook Page facebook.com/OpenWayChurch/ A Celebration of life service will be held in Goshen, IN at a later date. Family requests gifts to Topeka Rescue Mission or Open Way Church, Topeka in memory of Steve.