Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Stephen Lusk, 81, a longtime resident of Hood River, Oregon, died on Feb. 5, 2025, in Meridian, Idaho. He was born in 1943 in Michigan to Alpheus and Laura Lusk.
He graduated with a social work degree from Pacific University in 1965 and a Master of Divinity in 1969 from Chicago Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1969. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. in mythology with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2004.
Steve and his wife, Ruth, pioneered team ministry as Christian education co-ministers at the First Congregational Church in Bakersfield, California, and as co-ministers at the Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Los Alamitos, California. In 1984, Steve became the minister of Riverside Community Church in Hood River, where he served for 11 years. After leaving Riverside, Steve began his graduate work in mythology at Pacifica. He worked part-time as an interim minister at Vancouver United Church of Christ before joining Hospice of the Gorge as a chaplain, where he worked for 14 years until he retired. Steve loved being a hospice chaplain — it allowed him to work with people and their families from a variety of faith backgrounds. In 2019, Steve and Ruth moved to the Treasure Valley in Idaho to be closer to their daughter, who works at Boise State University.
Stephen touched a lot of people’s lives and hearts during his life. He continued to do so right up to the end. His caregivers and hospice staff remarked what a wonderful person he was and what a contagious laugh he had. He enjoyed dancing to music, occasionally singing along, and joking with friends.
Stephen is predeceased by his wife, Ruth. He is survived by his daughter Danya and his sister Janet Harrison.
If you’d like to honor Steve, please make memorial gifts to the Boise State University Foundation designated to the School of Social Work Alumni and Friends Scholarship. Online: boisestate.edu/giving/donate/health-sciences/ By check: Boise State University Foundation, 1173 University Drive, Boise, ID 83706.
To plant a tree in memory of Stephen Lusk as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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