Stephen "Steve" Garding

Stephen H. “Steve” Garding, age 75 of Freeport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, August 15, 2025 at his home in Freeport, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Pastor Larry Atkinson officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. A prayer service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Stephen Herman Garding was born October 7, 1949 in St. Martin Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Nicholas and Magdalene (Bueckers) Garding. Steve graduated from Albany High School in 1967. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1968. He was united in marriage to Mary Kay Holthaus on November 18, 1972 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Steve lived to drive truck. After high school, he hauled milk cans and later graduated to driving bulk truck for St. Martin Creamery. In 1973, Steve worked at Joe’s Trucking until 2006 when he started working for Willow Trucking in Freeport. He was forced to retire in 2022 due to illness but not before logging over six million miles during his career. Steve loved camping in Montana, four-wheeling, hunting and fishing, and loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Mary Kay Garding of Freeport; daughter, Robin Garding of Freeport; grandchildren, Cheyanne (Cody) Lineburg, Elisha Duckson, Jocelyn Garding, and Avery Garding; brother and sisters, Tillie Gilk of Albany, Marie Garding of St. Cloud, Joe (Janice) Garding of Albany, and Helen (Donnie) Van Drehle of Melrose.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents; son, Craig Garding on January 12, 2021; and sisters, Doreen Ebensteiner and Adeline Boecker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to CentraCare Hospice.