Stephen C. Magnenat
1959-07-24 2006-10-15Stephen Clare Magnenat was born July 24, 1959, in Pomona, Calif., just two days after his parents had celebrated their second wedding anniversary! Stephen was an adorable little boy who loved playing cowboy with his Uncle Bootsie, surfing in the ocean, and racing through the neighborhood on his bike.
Stephen and his little sister and his parents moved to Lewiston in 1970. He was confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Stephen's love for life outdoors was further developed through family outings at Winchester State Park and fishing along the rivers of Idaho. Stephen grew up boating, fishing and waterskiing on the Snake and Clearwater rivers.
Stephen graduated from Lewiston High School in 1976. In school, he had a talent for woodworking and other crafts. He made wood cabinets, desks, wooden boxes as gifts for others, wooden cases for his extensive gun collection, and even crafted many knife handles.
Stephen worked for a logging company felling trees and repairing and keeping their equipment operating. Stephen always read historical texts extensively. He was quite knowledgeable in our country's heritage and early explorers. Stephen had a great respect for life and liberty.
Stephen was a hobbyist and enjoyed fly tying, making his own bullets and leather tooling. Stephen joined the SASS (Single Action Shooting Society). His alias was "Stump Shot." He was a member since 2004. He enjoyed sewing leather holsters, knife sheaths, and he even sewed his own shirts and did beadwork on leather pouches for authenticity at the cowboy shoots.
Stephen loved growing vegetables on his land and provided many of his neighbors and friends with a delicious variety of tomatoes, corn, cantaloupe, watermelon and cucumbers. He canned his own vegetables and made homemade apple sauce.
Stephen loved children. His two neighbor boys, Cooper and Jackson, miss him dearly. Stephen was giving and generous. A neighbor shared that "Stephen would give you the shirt off his back." Recently, he gathered a group of neighbors and their children and planned a picnic, cooking a barbecue for the group. He was deemed "chef" by those who experienced his culinary skills.
Stephen always kept in touch with his family. He called his Daddy in Sequim, Wash., on a regular basis.
Most recently, Stephen had surgery on his foot to repair damage done by a lightning strike. During the first week of October, he was at home, really anxious about getting back to hunting and fishing, yet unable to walk on his foot after his surgery. Neighbors and friends and family worried about him after not hearing from him for four days. He was found deceased in his home, lying peacefully on his side. Cause of death has not been determined. However, his epi-pen was found by his side. He was highly allergic to bees and wasps.
A private memorial service has been held. His body was cremated and his ashes will be spread around one of his favorite fishing areas.
In honor of Stephen's life, a scholarship fund will be established to aid students who are financially unable to attend Waskowitz Outdoor School near Seattle. This is a school that provides an opportunity for inner-city students to learn about plants and wildlife, fisheries, our natural resources, land management, and our personal role in keeping a healthy environment. Stephen's sister is taking a group of sixth-grade students to Waskowitz for five days at the end of October. Stephen would have loved to be part of this educational experience.
Stephen was preceded in death by his mother, Monica, in 2004.
He is survived by his father, Ralph Magnenat of Sequim; and his sister, Jennifer Magnenat-Kolbe and brother-in-law Brian Kolbe of Seattle; and many dear uncles, aunts and cousins in Minnesota and Wisconsin.