Stephen Lee Tornquist

Stephen Tornquist, 68, of Malvern, passed away on July 9, 2014 at the Hospice with Heart House in Glenwood. Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Malvern United Methodist Church with Reverend Carp Phillips officiating. Burial will be in the Malvern Cemetery with military rites conducted by Harry Hammons American Legion Post 520. Visitation will be on Friday, July 11, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Loess Hills Funeral Home in Malvern.

Memorials: Malvern Volunteer Rescue

Stephen Lee Tornquist, one of five children of Maxine Winifred (Ervin) and Harold Leonard Tornquist, was born on December 13, 1945 in Shenandoah, Iowa. He grew up in Essex and Shenandoah area and was a graduate from the Shenandoah High School. Following high school, Steve attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree. He was drafted into the United States Army during Vietnam and served four years. After his honorable discharge, Steve took his first teaching job at Papillion, Nebraska while attending night school where he earned his Master's Degree. He taught at schools in Clear Lake and Farragut, Iowa and retired from teaching while at Sidney, Iowa. Steve returned to education as a substitute teacher at the Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Steve and Mary Rose Moon were married on April 6, 1968 in Des Moines, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Brian Todd and Stephanie Lyn.

Steve was a member of the Malvern United Methodist Church. He served as a past president of the Malvern Sports Booster Club and was a member of the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department. Military honors he received included Soldier of the Post and NATO Service Award. Steve also received U.S. Air Force outstanding teacher award in technology education 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.

Steve enjoyed fishing, especially with his son and grandson and cherished the memory of their trip to Alaska. He loved the mountains and wildlife and enjoyed visiting his daughter in Colorado. He had a passion for teaching and touched the lives of his students in ways that only Steve could do. He was an exemplary educator and a great conversationalist.

Steve passed away on July 9, 2014 at the Hospice with Heart Home in Glenwood, Iowa, at the age of 68 years, 6 months, and 26 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister-in-law Vicki Tornquist.

Steve is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Tornquist of Malvern; son Brian Tornquist and wife Tonya of Omaha, NE; daughter Stephanie Tornquist of Ft. Collins, CO; grandchildren, Brett Tornquist, Amber Carlisle, Lance Carlisle, and Haley Tornquist; his siblings, Carolyn Jennings and husband Jerry of Clarinda, IA; Harold Tornquist of Malvern, Mark Tornquist and wife Kathy of Redmond, WA, and Chris Tornquist and wife Marty of Spokane, WA; brother-in-law Michael Moon and wife Chris of Ames, IA; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.