In Memory of

Class of 1972
Jul 15, 1954 - Oct 08, 2025

Steve Gartland, 71, died on October 8, 2025, from ocular melanoma. After graduating from St. Cloud Tech in 1972, Steve attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, then transferred to Gustavus Adolphus College, where he graduated. Steve felt the call to ministry during his Young Life years in high school and graduated from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago with a M.Div. degree in 1981. He retired in July 2019. Steve married his high school sweetheart, Merlajean Nielsen ('73), in June 1976. They had two wonderful children, Janna and Luke. Steve is also survived by his much-loved grandson, Zander, and many Chinese friends whom the family hosted. Steve said everyone dies, and he accepted his own death. He said he is going to heaven to wait for Merlajean.