Stephen Linehan

Steve Linehan died in Oberon, ND on August 30, 2017, at the age of 67. He was born April 14, 1950, in Moorhead, MN. He grew up in Fargo and graduated from the University of North Dakota and most recently served on the Advisory Board of the UND School of Business.

While Steve lived in California, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Alabama, Texas, and Florida, he always felt the most at home in North Dakota. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, spending time with friends and family, and helping others to find encouragement in their relationships and careers. Most of all, he enjoyed watching his son David play football.

Steve was known for his fun-loving spirit, quick wit, infectious smile and laugh, and generosity with anyone he encountered. He was a friend and mentor who lifted people up and comforted them with his strength, wisdom, and kindness. Many said he was the smartest man they knew. A member of Mensa, whose mission is to foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity, Steve had the remarkable ability to use his intellect to solve problems for others. His family and friends admired his devotion as a father, husband, friend, son, and brother. He had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor, and he loved being able to make people laugh. Steve could talk to anyone about anything and find common ground. He loved philosophizing and talking about God, life, and love. A welcoming host, Steve made any celebration monumental, providing lasting memories in extraordinary ways.

He loved being on the water and the simple things in life. While Steve succeeded in the board room in a suit and tie, he preferred being on the boat in cargo shorts and a baseball hat. He retired after working for 30 years as a CEO of multiple healthcare companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Radiologix, Rotech, and Value Behavioral Health, which improved the lives of nearly 20 million people. He could take a company out of bankruptcy and build it into a billion-dollar organization. He was one of the original senior leaders of Value Health, which grew from a $17 million venture capital investment into a $2 billion company. Steve enjoyed serving on the board of directors for multiple companies, including Epotech, Options Healthcare, and Cypress Care.

In 1980, Steve received an MBA from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. From 1983 to 1987, he served as Mayor of the City of Lake St. Louis, Missouri and was reelected by the largest margin in the city's history.

Steve is survived by his two children, Lisa Linehan and David Linehan, his step-daughter Katherine Flores, his wife Terry Peterson Linehan, his mother Lorraine Linehan, his siblings Kevin Linehan and Cynthia Leiva, niece Kathleen Granger, nephew Sean Linehan, and his first wife, Christy Thomas, Lisa’s mother. Steve was preceded in death by his beloved father David Linehan, and wife Rhonda Linehan, his son's mother.

Steve will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

 

VISITATION:

Friends may greet his family at the cemetery, one hour prior to his funeral service.

GRAVESIDE FUNERAL SERVICE:

Sunday, September 3, 2017 at 3:00PM, at Antelope Valley Cemetery, rural Oberon, ND

BURIAL:

Antelope Valley Cemetery

 

In lieu of flowers, Steve's family is suggesting memorials to "Flood Relief" in Texas.

Click here for Relief site

You may also direct a memorial to a charity of your choosing


Posted Condolences:
(Scroll down to send condolence)

 

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Name: kim brown

Date: sept. 5th 2017

Message: DEAR TERRY,DAVID,AND LISA   JUST HEARD OF STEVES PASSING. I AM SO SORRY AND SEND MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO YOU THREE. STEVE WAS SUCH A GENEROUS PERSON AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM FOR THE PARTIES HE HAD. HIS FIRST RULE WAS YOU NEVER GO HOME THIRSTY OR HUNGRY, AND HE ALWAYS MADE SURE OF THAT.  HE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND MOST THE TIME AND HE WOULD JUST SMILE HIS SMILE AND TAKE IT ALL IN.  STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST YEAR HE WAS UP HERE  ON THE FOURTH OF JULY   BOYD AND STEVE LIT OFF THE BIGGEST BUNCH OF BOTTLE ROCKETS AND FIRE CRACKERS I HAVE EVER SEEN. WHAT A NIGHT!!! EVEN AFTER DEATH HE WILL BE REMEMBERED  FONDLY AND ALL HIS STUNTS WILL BRING A SMILE TO ME AND EVERYONE THAT KNEW HIM. HE WILL BE MISSED.   IF AT ANY TIME YOU NEED A SHOULDER PLEASE CALL  

SENDING MY LOVE KIMMIE B

 

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Name: Leslie and Pete Biagioni

Date: September 5, 2017

Message: We both loved Steve. He was our boss and our friend. Steve will be remembered for his great mind and fun-loving personality. He was also an incredible mentor that taught us both about serving clients and getting the "blocking and tackling" done right. He will be missed. We will keep his entire family in our prayers. RIP

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Name: Wayne Schwantes

Date: 9-4-17

Message: With my deepest sympathy for the family. Steve will surely be missed by all who knew him. He was a true friend. He had a way about him to make a person laugh. I will always remember all the good times I had with Steve. May God Bless !

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Name: Robbin Kersey

Date: 9/3/17

Message: Deepest condolences to Terry, David, Katie and the Linehan family. 

Steve was always the funniest, most fun person, quick with a smile and silly joke. He was a great Dad to David and always so positive! Steve was a great husband and friend to my dear friend Terry.  Rest In Peace Steve. You will be missed more than you could ever know!

 

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Name: Melanie Rubinsky

Date: September 3, 2017

Message: Terry - I am so very sorry for your loss and that of the rest of your family.  Although I never met Steve, I have no doubt he was a wonderful man and a loving husband and father.  My heart breaks for you.  Wishing you strength and love,  Melanie and Javier

 

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Name: Rick LaFleur

Date: 9-3-17

Message: We will miss you Brother Steve. Enjoyed many good times together. God Bless you and family. You will be missed and your deeds not forgotten. 

 

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Name: Marlene Scott

Date: 09-03-17

Message: My heartfelt condolences to you Terry and family. I was so shocked to hear of Steve's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know if I can help in any way. God Bless

 

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Name: Elva Talley

Date: 9/2/2017

Message: Sweet Terry.....I know you feel God's presence and power. My love is with you and your family. 

 

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Name: Nelcy Dettmann

Date: 09/03/2017

Message: My dearest friend Terry,

In your time of sorrow, may you be blessed with friends who care, Faith that uplifts, and memories that comfort.

My deepest sympathy - God bless you

Love,

Nelcy

 

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Name: James & Mary Doyle

Date: 09/02/2017

Message: Although we only met Steve two years ago, he will be missed! Steve always had a broad smile and big hello whenever he and Terry were in Florida. We will miss his humor and friendship, along with frequent visits, he looked forward to retiring and enjoying the great fishing here. His love for Terry and their families was first and foremost. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, during this time of grief. Steve will always be remembered as a good friend.

 

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Name: Delbert "Uncle Bob" Reser

Date: Sep 2. 2017

Message: Terry and family

So sorry to hear about Steve.  Regret that we rarely had opportunity to know him better. Condolences to you, Katie, and Steve's family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

"Uncle Bob"

 

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Name: Kaia Peterka Heitmeyer

Date: 9/2/17

Message: Sending love and sympathy to all know knew and loved Steve.  I knew him since my college days with Lisa at UVA.  His generosity of spirit never ceased.  He was such fun to be around.  Just a remarkable person, and full of energy, laughter and kindness.  You will be missed. 

With deepest sympathy, Kaia Peterka Heitmeyer and the Heitmeyer family.

 

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Name: Jeffee L Palmer

Date: 9/2/2017

Message: Sincerest condolences to you, Terry, and the entire Linehan family.  Sending you a virtual garden of calla lilies and much love, Sista!  Jeffee Lynn

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Name: Denny Solberg

Date: 9/2/17

Message: No finer example of a true Lambda Chi Alpha brother. Through diversity and success-the laugh,the smile, the stick-to-it attitude was always there. Rest in peace brother. I for one want to never forget knowing you at the chopper house.

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Name: Brad Thompson

Date: Sept. 2, 2017

Message: Steve's parents and mine were close college friends! He and I went to UND! We hunted together and I enjoyed going to his house for breakfast before a big walk! Steve was generous to a fault and would give you the shirt off his back if he thought it would help! He will be missed!

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Name: Earl  Weber

Date: 9-1-2017

Message: My Condolences.

Rest in Pace my friend !!

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Name: Debi Schumann

Date: 09/01/2017

Message: I am sending Love and Our deepest Sympathy to Lisa David and all of the rest of the Linehan Family.  I am David's Great Aunt Debi.  I have so many fond memories of Steve he was always so much fun...I remember shopping with him in florida...Davids Mom wanted Chocolate.  He and I went to store and got one of everything for his boy to be...I just cant believe this.  That is a wonderful picture of Steve ...he was so full of life...God bless all of you.  I was blessed to have got to spend time with the family.

He will be greatly missed.

Deborah Schumann

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Name: Jacque Swirzinski

Date: 9/1/17

Message: Cousin Steven was an amazing larger than life man. He always had an encouraging word, a genuine love of life, kind & caring to all, generous & loving. He was an amazing father, devoted to family. He was an inspiration. The Duin cousins are grateful to have reconnected the past few years. He will be truly missed.

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Name: Sharon Tolliver

Date: 9-1-2017

Message: I worked with Steve for 20 years and it was a privilege. He was a mentor and a friend. I always told him my life was better because of him, and it was. My condolences to his family. Rest In Peace my friend.

Sharon Tolliver

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Name: Sue Harris

Date: 9-1-2017

Message: Sending love & our deepest sympathy to your family. We are so saddened by your loss.

Much Love, The Paul Harris Family

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Name: Kelly Fischer

Date: 9-1-2017

Message: I always enjoyed visiting with Steve at David's football or basketball games.  He was very proud of David and was always a positive 'cheerleader' from the sidelines.  Rest easy Steve, and God bless your family.

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Name: Katy Haute

Date: 8/31/17

Message: You are beloved to us. We are sending you love and peace, Please know we are ready to help however you need.

Hugs, Katy, Paul, Sydney & Sheridan