Obituary of Steven Derner

Steven James Derner, 27, of Milford passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012 at his home in Milford. VISITATION: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 after 3 pm with the family present from 5-7 pm at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford SERVICE: 10:30 am Thursday, September 13, 2012 at First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery in rural Milford. Steven James Derner was born July 12, 1985 in Spencer, Iowa, the son of John and Jody (Morrisette) Derner. He lived his entire life in Milford, graduating from Okoboji High School in 2004. Steven was baptized and confirmed at Union Memorial Church in Milford. He enjoyed 4H, where he showed cattle at the Dickinson County Fair, and won grand champion steer at the Iowa State Fair. Steven was a teddy bear with a huge heart. You could expect him to greet you with a great big grin on his face and the best hug you could find in town. Above all, you would find that big smile inside the tractor while he was doing field work, whether it be plowing up a field or spreading manure to fertilize the next growing season. Most of all he loved to run the heavy construction equipment, and it didn't even matter if the land needed to be moved or not, Steven was there to move it. He always looked forward to working long days in the tractor alongside his family members. Steven also worked many summers at Shell Rock Products landscape block plant. One of his favorite vacations of all was being on the company cruise with his friends and family. Along with all the work that Steven put in, he loved traveling with his family and friends in search of the great blue marlin. He was the luckiest one of all, catching numerous sail fish and several marlin. A proud uncle, Steven always looked forward to spending time with his nieces, Danica and Landrie. As a youngster, he was a tractor pedal pull champion, but as he got older, Steven learned that tractors have engines. Steven loved to operate vehicles, cruising Lake Okoboji on his snowmobile in the winter and by boat in the summer. He never turned down a poker or football night with the guys (GO PACKERS!), and loved to watch professional wrestling. When the day was over, he always took the time to head up town and have a drink with the best of his friends, throw some darts, and shoot a round of pool. Steven was deeply loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. Steven passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012 at his home in Milford at twenty-seven years of age. He is survived by his parents, John and Jody Derner; brothers, Justin Derner (his wife Shelly and their daughters, Danica and Landrie) and Brad Derner ; sisters, Katie Derner and Megan Derner; and his grandmother, Carolyn Morrisette Preceding him in death are his grandparents, Marvin and Patsy Derner, and James Morrisette; and uncles Bill Derner and Mike Derner.