“He Had A Difficult Road
But He Traveled It Well”
Stephen Michael Van Essen, 61, passed away peacefully at his apartment in Plymouth, MN, Friday afternoon, December 18, 2015, while recovering from flu and pneumonia.
Steve was born September 1, 1954 in Brainerd to William and Patricia (Maghan) Van Essen. Despite his cerebral palsy, and arthrogryposis affecting his legs, he tried his best to live life to the fullest. He spend three years at what was then called the Worthington State School for Crippled Children and was a 1976 graduate of Brainerd High School. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was well known on the North side where he pedaled around on his three-wheel bicycle, selling cans of pop out of a cooler.
Following graduation, he moved to the Cities and spent time at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and Courage Center in the Twin Cities where he learned the skills needed to live independently. For nearly 37 years, Steve lived in a handicapped-accessible apartment in Plymouth with the help of part-time personal care attendants. He obtained a driver's license while at Courage Center and had a van with a lift, giving him far greater mobility than anyone in his family could have ever dreamed of when he was growing up. Courage Center hired him as a van driver, transporting disabled individuals to and from appointments, classes, and even the airport. But the physical effort was too much and he had to give it up after a few years.
More recently, Steve dealt with health issues such as severe arthritis and several bouts of pneumonia, all of which took their toll, and the struggle to survive reached its end.
His cheerful attitude will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends and admirers.
He is survived by brothers Mark, Brainerd and John, Fridley; niece Christina (David) Timm, Baxter; nephew Daniel Van Essen, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, aunt Gloria Van Essen, Harmony, MN, assorted cousins, and special friend, Terri Albers, Ortonville, MN.
Steve will be buried next summer alongside his brother Bob, parents and grandparents in Evergreen cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held in Gregory Park at that time and will include the planting of a memorial tree.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Steve's name to Courage Kenny Foundation, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, MN 55422.
Visitation is Wednesday, December 30, at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., including a remembrance, "Growing Up with Steve" at 7 p.m.
But He Traveled It Well”
Stephen Michael Van Essen, 61, passed away peacefully at his apartment in Plymouth, MN, Friday afternoon, December 18, 2015, while recovering from flu and pneumonia.
Steve was born September 1, 1954 in Brainerd to William and Patricia (Maghan) Van Essen. Despite his cerebral palsy, and arthrogryposis affecting his legs, he tried his best to live life to the fullest. He spend three years at what was then called the Worthington State School for Crippled Children and was a 1976 graduate of Brainerd High School. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was well known on the North side where he pedaled around on his three-wheel bicycle, selling cans of pop out of a cooler.
Following graduation, he moved to the Cities and spent time at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and Courage Center in the Twin Cities where he learned the skills needed to live independently. For nearly 37 years, Steve lived in a handicapped-accessible apartment in Plymouth with the help of part-time personal care attendants. He obtained a driver's license while at Courage Center and had a van with a lift, giving him far greater mobility than anyone in his family could have ever dreamed of when he was growing up. Courage Center hired him as a van driver, transporting disabled individuals to and from appointments, classes, and even the airport. But the physical effort was too much and he had to give it up after a few years.
More recently, Steve dealt with health issues such as severe arthritis and several bouts of pneumonia, all of which took their toll, and the struggle to survive reached its end.
His cheerful attitude will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends and admirers.
He is survived by brothers Mark, Brainerd and John, Fridley; niece Christina (David) Timm, Baxter; nephew Daniel Van Essen, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, aunt Gloria Van Essen, Harmony, MN, assorted cousins, and special friend, Terri Albers, Ortonville, MN.
Steve will be buried next summer alongside his brother Bob, parents and grandparents in Evergreen cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held in Gregory Park at that time and will include the planting of a memorial tree.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Steve's name to Courage Kenny Foundation, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, MN 55422.
Visitation is Wednesday, December 30, at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., including a remembrance, "Growing Up with Steve" at 7 p.m.
“He Had A Difficult Road
But He Traveled It Well”
Stephen Michael Van Essen, 61, passed away peacefully at his apartment in Plymouth, MN, Friday afternoon, December 18, 2015, while recovering from flu and pneumonia.
Steve was born September 1, 1954 in Brainerd to William and Patricia (Maghan) Van Essen. Despite his cerebral palsy, and arthrogryposis affecting his legs, he tried his best to live life to the fullest. He spend three years at what was then called the Worthington State School for Crippled Children and was a 1976 graduate of Brainerd High School. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was well known on the North side where he pedaled around on his three-wheel bicycle, selling cans of pop out of a cooler.
Following graduation, he moved to the Cities and spent time at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and Courage Center in the Twin Cities where he learned the skills needed to live independently. For nearly 37 years, Steve lived in a handicapped-accessible apartment in Plymouth with the help of part-time personal care attendants. He obtained a driver's license while at Courage Center and had a van with a lift, giving him far greater mobility than anyone in his family could have ever dreamed of when he was growing up. Courage Center hired him as a van driver, transporting disabled individuals to and from appointments, classes, and even the airport. But the physical effort was too much and he had to give it up after a few years.
More recently, Steve dealt with health issues such as severe arthritis and several bouts of pneumonia, all of which took their toll, and the struggle to survive reached its end.
His cheerful attitude will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends and admirers.
He is survived by brothers Mark, Brainerd and John, Fridley; niece Christina (David) Timm, Baxter; nephew Daniel Van Essen, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, aunt Gloria Van Essen, Harmony, MN, assorted cousins, and special friend, Terri Albers, Ortonville, MN.
Steve will be buried next summer alongside his brother Bob, parents and grandparents in Evergreen cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held in Gregory Park at that time and will include the planting of a memorial tree.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Steve's name to Courage Kenny Foundation, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, MN 55422.
Visitation is Wednesday, December 30, at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., including a remembrance, "Growing Up with Steve" at 7 p.m.
But He Traveled It Well”
Stephen Michael Van Essen, 61, passed away peacefully at his apartment in Plymouth, MN, Friday afternoon, December 18, 2015, while recovering from flu and pneumonia.
Steve was born September 1, 1954 in Brainerd to William and Patricia (Maghan) Van Essen. Despite his cerebral palsy, and arthrogryposis affecting his legs, he tried his best to live life to the fullest. He spend three years at what was then called the Worthington State School for Crippled Children and was a 1976 graduate of Brainerd High School. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was well known on the North side where he pedaled around on his three-wheel bicycle, selling cans of pop out of a cooler.
Following graduation, he moved to the Cities and spent time at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute and Courage Center in the Twin Cities where he learned the skills needed to live independently. For nearly 37 years, Steve lived in a handicapped-accessible apartment in Plymouth with the help of part-time personal care attendants. He obtained a driver's license while at Courage Center and had a van with a lift, giving him far greater mobility than anyone in his family could have ever dreamed of when he was growing up. Courage Center hired him as a van driver, transporting disabled individuals to and from appointments, classes, and even the airport. But the physical effort was too much and he had to give it up after a few years.
More recently, Steve dealt with health issues such as severe arthritis and several bouts of pneumonia, all of which took their toll, and the struggle to survive reached its end.
His cheerful attitude will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends and admirers.
He is survived by brothers Mark, Brainerd and John, Fridley; niece Christina (David) Timm, Baxter; nephew Daniel Van Essen, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, aunt Gloria Van Essen, Harmony, MN, assorted cousins, and special friend, Terri Albers, Ortonville, MN.
Steve will be buried next summer alongside his brother Bob, parents and grandparents in Evergreen cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held in Gregory Park at that time and will include the planting of a memorial tree.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Steve's name to Courage Kenny Foundation, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, MN 55422.
Visitation is Wednesday, December 30, at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., including a remembrance, "Growing Up with Steve" at 7 p.m.
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