Cover photo for Michael Stebbins's Obituary
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Michael Stebbins

May 29, 1937 — July 7, 2022

Michael Stebbins

Michael Stebbins of Post Falls Idaho passed into heaven peacefully July 7, 2022 at 85 years of age.  Husband of 61 years to his wife, a father, business owner, and man of prayer. Michael provided well for his family and is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Christian Rosenau (with her husband Mitchell), and his son Michael, (with wife Karen), three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. 

 

Michael had a colorful early life, his first years on a ranch in the hills of Healdsburg California with his father Keith Stebbins, then moving from state to state in the care of his single mother, Elizabeth Gundlach Stebbins (known as Betty).  At four years of age, he crossed the Pacific and months later, witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor. His teen years were split between the Healdsburg ranch, Seattle, and finally Palo Alto,California; finishing high school in 1955 and continuing with classes at San Jose State University. Michael was an avid motorcyclist, a gifted mechanic, musician, and served as a Radioman First Class in the U.S. Navy Reserve for eight years.

 

In 1961, Michael married Patricia Ann Lima. In 1965, prompted by realtor Marion H. Nichols who shared his faith and testimony, both Michael and Patricia made a decision to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For decades following, Michael’s faith and commitment to study the Bible and practice its tenets led him to overcome the legacy of absent or alcoholic parents and other childhood traumas at the hands of adults who were entrusted to care for him.  Instead, he became a loving and engaged father, provider, spiritual example to his children,  and faithful contributor to his church.  

 

Michael lived with his wife and children in Santa Cruz County California for 27 years before selling Performance West,  his auto repair business, retiring and moving to North Idaho in 1992. There, he was a realtor for a short time while living in Silver Valley.

 

One of Michael’s gifts was studying the Bible. He shared his faith, leading many to follow Jesus Christ and helped them in their own journey. He was gifted in teaching, writing and taught numerous studies of God’s Word. He most enjoyed teaching a Chronological Bible study. 

 

A man of constant learning and he could fix most anything. Since early childhood, he loved cooking. In recent years, asked Patricia to show him how to bake her whole wheat bread and he made the best whole wheat waffles! 

 

He had sailboats and enjoyed sailing and working on them, leading him into a love of woodworking; making  beautiful items for home in teak or oak. He enjoyed reading to his family and teaching his kids how to fix things.

 

He also had an extraordinary love for animals. Living in the country (generally, in California) and raising the children in Bonny Doon, in the Santa Cruz mountains, he enjoyed pets ranging from a raccoon in childhood, to dogs and cats, chipmunks, and even rescued a gopher, his wife was trying to stop from devouring the garden. He made it a pet in the house until it succumbed, having eaten the aluminum foil dish made by the children for the pet, but only after it chewed a hole in Christian’s blue/green bedroom drapes, from which it made a blue and green nest. Michael and the children were heartbroken. Wife Pat, not so much.

 

Stories about Michael’s life go on and on. He had a love for various forms of music. His Favorite hymn was, “Morning has Broken.” He often quoted Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” His favorite cake was German chocolate. He was also known as the “Cookie Monster”--his favorite, chocolate-chip, made by his daughter, Chris.


Michael requested that there be no formal memorial service or funeral, instead suggesting private get-togethers for remembrance. Comments remembering Michael are welcomed in obituary on the English Funeral Chapel website, Post Falls Idaho.
 
Those moved to make a donation may do so to Michael's church, Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho.
 

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