After spending 92 years making this world a little more beautiful, Stephen “Steve” Paladichuk transitioned to the eternal garden in Heaven on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

Steve was born on November 24, 1931, in Dickinson, North Dakota. He attended school through the eighth grade in Savage and Sidney.

Sports, especially basketball, was always a love for Steve, but his greatest love blossomed one night at a high school game in Sidney. He saw June (Vickstrom) across the gym and knew that was the beauty he needed most in his life. Their bond flourished into a remarkable 67-year marriage, cherished through countless shared moments as holiday hosts for family and friends throughout those wonderful years. Steve and June were married on August 31, 1953.

Steve’s first job was for the city of Sidney as a garbage truck employee. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and headed to California. His time included serving as a cook overseas in Alaska.

Upon his return to eastern Montana, Steve found employment in a series of jobs until finding fulfillment as a custodian at the Sidney Middle School. He looked forward to visiting with students, especially when he was fortunate enough to have his own grandchildren at the school.

He was a founding member of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and was also a member of the Sidney VFW.

His reverence for nature was evident in his daily life. He fed pheasants around the Paladichuk house so well they struggled to take flight due to their hearty meals. Steve also enjoyed feeding squirrels and rabbits, but just about any animal had a warm place in his heart.

Fishing, including many trips to the river when his grandson Shaun was a child, and agate hunts with his nephew Francie held special places in his heart.

Steve enjoyed making his corner of the world more beautiful by spending countless hours in his yard and garden. Working in the dirt was a labor of love for him. His time at the Lodge was brightened by the presence of his own little garden, a source of immense joy.

The Christmas season was another time Steve loved to share beauty with others as he would spend hours outside decorating the house with elaborate light displays to spread some Christmas cheer.

Yet, amidst the flowers and the Christmas lights, nothing rivaled the beauty of his bond with June. There’s been a great emptiness for Steve these past few years, and we celebrate that he is now back with her, and they both are reunited with daughter Lana.

They loved raising their four daughters and time spent with all the grandchildren. Steve often said the good Lord knew what He was doing by giving him all daughters, since Steve displayed the most patience with girls.

Survivors are daughters Linda (Jay) Reed and their sons Josh Reed and Jamie (Malisa) Reed; Laurie Paladichuk and her daughter Jaylee (Peter) Guerra; Libby (Randy) Berndt and their children Sara and Kelly (Kallie) Berndt; grandchildren Shaun (Michelle) Jensen, Kory (fiancée Marta) Jensen and Kelsey (Corby) Storer; his 10 loving great-grandchildren; brother John (Wilma); best friend Jerry Wznick; and cherished loved ones Amrei Finke, exchange student from Germany, Shannon and Cody Paulsen, Robin and Robert Hernandez and their children Vickie, Kristi and Michelle.

Steve was preceded in death by his wife, June; daughter Lana Jensen; parents Fred and Anna Paladichuk; parents-in-law Bert and Sara Vickstrom; brothers Sam, Mike, George, and Jim; sisters Katie Berry, Marge Denham, Rose Cobb, and Joyce Callen; an infant granddaughter and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Contribution