Stephen DeWayne Pritchard

We lost a wonderful friend today; Stephen DeWayne Pritchard, age 59, of Park Rapids, MN went to his celestial home on August 4th, 2022.  He was born the son of Jeanne (Galles) and Harvey Pritchard on March 9th, 1963, in Park Rapids, MN

His life was music, and music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.  Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, that never dies.  He loved his family, friends, pets and was a gifted and passionate musician.  After graduating from Park Rapids High School in 1981, he continued his studies in music at Saint Olaf College. Stephen then received his B.A. in Piano Performance from Bemidji State University.  When Stephen played, his audience was uplifted.  The way he could make the piano or organ sound was truly his God-given talent.  It was his passion and his time playing music fed his soul.  Stephen’s musical talent was a gift that richly blessed the lives of many.  He also offered a wealth of musical inspiration with performances in Florida and Minnesota.  Stephen was the church organist at Trinity Episcopal Presbyterian Church in Park Rapids, Calvary Lutheran Church and at First Lutheran Church in Akeley for many years.

He was preceded in death by father Harvey Robert Pritchard, and Grandparents Mike and Ida Galles and Fred and Hazel Pritchard.

He leaves behind his mother, Jeanne Marie Pritchard; brothers: Robert Pritchard of Osage, James Pritchard of Loveland, Colorado; sisters: Jeanette (Steve) Miller of Arivaca, Arizona and Mary (Ben) Stumbo of Park Rapids; nieces and nephews, close friends: Lezli Parks Zimmerman, Fred Rogers, Sue Rogers, and numerous friends who will remember his music forever.

A celebration of music and his life will be held Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Presbyterian Church, 212 Court Avenue, Park Rapids, MN.  Pastor Steve Norby will officiate.  Steve’s request was that everyone gather for his favorite time, coffee hour, after the celebration.  Inurnment will be in the St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery at Park Rapids, MN, next to his grandmother Ida.

Steve’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home in Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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